STERLING, Colo. — Firefighters responded to a structure fire Tuesday afternoon in the 600 block of North Fourth Street, where a garage fire was quickly contained with no injuries reported.

The Sterling Fire Department said crews were dispatched at 5:13 p.m. alongside Sterling Police Department units after reports of a structure fire in the alley. Police arrived first and reported a garage actively on fire.

Upon arrival, fire crews isolated the access door to limit fire spread and deployed a hose line for extinguishment. At the same time, firefighters made entry through a man door to conduct a primary search for potential victims. No occupants were found.

Fire attack began from an exterior window and transitioned to the interior once crews cleared the immediate area. Firefighters knocked down the remaining flames, completed a secondary search of the affected space and found no victims.

Crews conducted overhaul operations and later returned to the scene to complete a fire watch, which is standard procedure.

Fire officials noted the garage was being used as a living space, a situation they said is not uncommon. The department said all fires are treated as potentially occupied until crews can confirm otherwise.

The Sterling Police Department also responded to the scene.