Flames were roaring from the garages amid plumes of thick smoke, and tires of several cars were exploding with "cherry bomb-like" sounds as Battalion Chief Brian McCarthy arrived at 25 and 35 Entrata Avenue near the Ross border at 10:36 p.m.
"It was heavily involved, with three detached garages on fire," McCarthy said. "A small in-law unit was on fire" as well. "It was a mess."
Three cars also were burning, one parked in a garage, the others nearby. Two homes set back from the garage were undamaged.
"We knocked the main part of the fire down, went inside and got it under control" in about 45 minutes, the chief added.
No one was hurt.
The three cars and three garages were destroyed. The in-law unit sustained major damage. The cause remained under investigation. Officials estimated overall damage at $250,000.