A structure fire of a single-family house started early Wednesday in the northeast side of Bend. Two occupants woke to a smoke alarm in a spare bedroom in their home around 05:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1st. They saw hazy smoke in the nearby kitchen and spare bedroom and called 911.
The cause of the fire determined to be ashes removed from a woodstove the day prior and placed in a combustible container on the exterior of the house. Occupants attempted to put out the fire and Bend Fire Crews quickly arrived and extinguished the remaining fire, limiting it to the spare bedroom. By having working smoke alarms alert the occupants, damage was limited to one area of a spare bedroom and no injuries were reported to either the occupants or fire crews.
Bend Fire & Rescue officials caution residents when removing ashes from a wood stove, always assume they are hot, having potential to ignite combustible materials. Always place ashes in a non-combustible, metal container, well away from other combustibles and extinguish with water before disposing of cold ashes. Ashes can remain hot enough to ignite combustible materials for several days or longer, if not properly extinguished.
Officials would also like to remind everyone to check for working smoke alarms in their homes. More information on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and assistance, can be found on the City of Bend Fire & Rescues website, under Community Programs.
