Strong winds fueled a one-alarm fire that destroyed the garage of a Pittsburg home early Friday morning and blocked the residents' exit through the front door, a fire marshal said.

Fire crews responded to reports of a house fire in the 4200 block of Hillview Drive around 4:50 a.m., according to a Contra Costa County Fire Protection District dispatcher.

At least two residents inside the home escaped through some side windows after realizing the fire was blocking the front door, Fire Marshal Lewis Broschard said.

Crews arriving on the scene saw heavy smoke and fire coming from the garage of the single-story house. The flames were fueled by gusty 25 mph winds, Broschard said.

Firefighters were able to knock down the fire by 5:13 a.m. One firefighter suffered minor injuries while pulling some fire hose and was treated at a hospital and released, the fire marshal said.

Broschard said the circumstances of the blaze are a reminder of the need for a fire exit plan, since fires can block normal exit routes.

"Practicing exit drills in the home is critical for people to make sure they can get out of their home and get to a meeting spot so they can account for everybody," he said.

The blaze caused about $175,000 in damage to the home.

Fire investigators have ruled out arson as a cause and have deemed it accidental, Broschard said.

He said the fire might have started from oily rags kept in the garage.