ROBERT JOHNSON/Standard-Examiner A parked vehicle is engulfed in flames catching a nearby tree on fire at the scene of a backyard fire on 27th Street in Ogden. Garage fire consumes cars, sheds Surrounding houses not seriously damaged By LISA ROSKELLEY Standard-Examiner staff OGDEN - The cause of a fire that filled Ogden with thick, black smoke is still being investigated while families were able to remain in their singed homes Tuesday. The fire, which started in a garage at 724 27 St., burned two more garages plus sheds, cars, utility poles and trees throughout the block. A rough estimate of the damage neared $100,000. Battle wounds of melted siding showed from houses near the blaze, but since they didn't suffer flames, the families did not have to leave. "It was a hot, intensive fire," said Battalion Chief Steve Splinter. "(But) we contained it to the garages." People gathered around the perime¬ter set up by fire engines, trucks and ambulances to watch as firefighters fought the hot blaze. Some ran to the back alley to try to get a better look at the blaze that was in the middle of the inner city block. Phil Ouellette had been out driving with his three sons Kedryn, 5, Kaiden, 4, and Keltin, 2. He saw the smoke and decided to stop and check it out. "I used to chase fire engines when I was a kid with my dad," he said. "They (his kids) haven't seen a place burn down." Ogden Fire Department had more than 20 people on the scene while the police department directed traffic around the clogged area. The Salvation Army showed up with water and sandwiches for firefighters. Also the Red Cross helped the families for the evening while their power was being restored. You can reach reporter Lisa Roskelley at 625-4227 or lroskelley@stan-dardjiet.