Fire guts garage at Old Mill Road home

WINSTON — Carelessly handled woodstove ashes started a fire Thursday night that gutted the garage of a home in the 20200 block of Old Mill Road, authorities say.

About 25 firefighters from Reva, Salem and Culpeper, along with paramedics from Culpeper Co. 12, responded to the home around 4:40 p.m. after the homeowner reported the garage was on fire.

Based on evidence and statements from the homeowners, Reva Volunteer Fire Co. Chief Kevin Pfeilsticker said it appears that while the woodstove ashes were being discarded on Thursday morning, a piece of hot ash inadvertently slipped into a plastic bin filled with recyclables.

Pfeilsticker said it appears the fire smoldered during the day before erupting Thursday evening.

The fire also damaged two cars in the garage.

No injuries were reported.