ELMHURST, IL — An early morning fire on July 4 destroyed a detached garage and damaged homes nearby. The Elmhurst Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 281 E. May St., at 3:45 a.m. Tuesday, according to a release from the department.

A neighbor called 911 after she heard a boom and saw an orange glow, the fire department said. Elmhurst Police evacuated homes at 281 and 285 E. May, as the fire department arrived on scene. Firefighters reported a fully involved detached garage fire with exposures to adjacent structures, according to the release.

The fire was extinguished and the exposures were protected by 4:15 a.m. According to the release, The garage and contents were a total loss at 281 E. May with damage to the exterior of the home and to adjacent 285 E. May.