ST. CLOUD - A fire destroyed a garage in North St. Cloud early this morning.

The St. Cloud Fire Department was called to a home at 224 37th Avenue North at about 12:45 a.m.

Two passersby spotted the fire, forced their way into the home, and got the homeowner out safely.

Besides the garage being destroyed, there was also some damage to the home, and heat damage to a vehicle and boat parked in the driveway.  The damage estimate is about $30,000.

The cause of the fire is not known.

Nineteen-year-old Alex Stolt was the first person on the scene.  He tells WJON news that he spotted the smoke in a neighborhood by the Shortstop Restaurant as he was driving on Highway 15. He says he called 911 right away.  Soon after, other strangers arrived and jumped into action as well.  One door was on fire, and the front porch door was screwed shut.  Stolt says they cut the window screen and crawled in through the window.  They then kicked the door down and helped the woman inside get out safely, along with her dog.

Solt says he didn't have time to think about his actions too much, he says he just reacted.  He says they just assumed there was someone inside the home, because there was a car in the driveway.

Stolt is a 2013 graduate of St. Cloud Cathedral High School.

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