Chico, Calif.-- Chico Firefighters are working to learn what caused a fire that destroyed a garage at 1100 Greenwich Drive this morning.

One of the three residents says he smelled smoke in the kitchen, followed it to the garage and opened the door to a wall of flames.

Firefighters arrived in full-force just after 4 a.m. And determined that all residents were out safely.

The fire was contained primarily to the garage and attic above.

Neighbors on scene told us they heard what sounded like fireworks, but firefighters say loud banging and popping noises are common in garage fires as flammable items and aerosol cans are exposed to the heat.

Firefighters say that garage fires are all-too common when garages are over-crowded, full of electrical tools and flammable material; in this case, the garage contained welding equipment and was used as a shop, and it also contained the water heater for the home - which has a pilot light flame running 24 hours a day.

The official cause, however, is still under investigation.