Smoke could be seen across much of Shawville late afternoon on Dec. 27, as 24 firefighters responded to a call about a workshop on fire on Hilton Avenue.

Shawville-Clarendon Fire Chief Lee Laframboise said the call was received around 4:30 p.m.Firefighters were able to keep the fire contained and no one was injured. Damage to the building was extensive, and most of the items inside, along with a 4-wheeler outside, were destroyed. Firefighters were able to drag away a snowmobile, sparing it from being completely destroyed.

Laframboise said the owner had been working with tools in the shop earlier in the afternoon and, while the exact cause of the fire is still to be determined, it is believed a propane tank exploded when ignited by lingering sparks.