The cause of a fire that destroyed a longtime automotive repair shop this morning in Medora remains under investigation.

Firefighters from several volunteer fire departments responded at 11:42 a.m. to a report of a fire at Downs Garage, 18 N. George St.

Joe Barnes, chief of the Carr Township Volunteer Fire Department, said the initial reports of several homes burning led a request for mutual aid from the other departments. Some of those firefighters, including a truck from the Seymour Fire Department and two from Monroe Township Volunteer Fire Department in northern Washington County, were called off.

Firefighters were able to contain the damage mainly to the business, which sits behind the home of owners Rick and Linda Downs. Rick operates the garage with his son, Jason.

Barnes said there was some damage to the back of the Downs’ home along with a rental home and garage they own to the north of their home.

“We were able to get enough water on the right spots in time to stop it,” Barnes said.

No one was in the garage when it caught fire, and no one was injured, including the firefighters.

Firefighters from Brownstown and Driftwood and Hamilton townships also assisted at the scene. Officers with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and Brownstown Police Department responded, too.