Boise fire officials say they’re not sure what caused the garage of a Garden City townhouse to catch fire late Thursday night — but they do suspect a lingering ember started another blaze in the attic about six hours later.

The home, the middle unit of three connected townhouse-style residences, is badly damaged and unlivable.

The woman who lives there was able to get out safely but a car and golf cart in the garage were also destroyed by flames, Boise fire officials said Friday.

Boise fire crews were sent to the home in the 5900 block of Ashville Lane, located near the State Street/Pierce Park Lane neighborhood, around 10:45 p.m. after getting a 911 call from the person who lived there.

Crews found an active fire in the garage and called for a second alarm. Fire crews then knocked down the blaze, which at that point was mostly confined to garage area. Fire crews left shortly after 1 a.m. but were called back around 7:30 a.m. after a news crew by the home heard smoke alarms.

Fire officials say it appears an ember got inside the attic space above the house and smoldered until another fire ignited. Fire crews were sent back and knocked that down quickly, officials said.

The two homes on either side may have sustained some smoke damage but firewalls kept the flames out of both, Boise fire officials said.

Investigators know the fire started in the garage area but haven’t been able to figure out how, officials said.