Relate, as a synonym of report or tell (Roget's, 3rd ed., section 556.11): What are its usage limits? Can one say
Jane related that there had been a fire?
Just as one says
Jane reported that there had been a fire?
Or is the structure similar to
Jane told of the fire that had burned down the old barn.
Can one therefore say
Jane related of the fire that had burned down the old barn?
I have searched (Google; Random House, Gardner), but I have not been succesful in pinpointing the usage of that meaning of "relate".