Utility pole electrical issue sparks fire, burns 3 vehicles at NE Bend dealership

(Update: Cause found to be electrical issue at utility pole; worker tackled with fire extinguisher; updated damage estimate)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – An electrical failure at a utility pole caused a fire Saturday evening at the Robberson Ford dealership in northeast Bend that caused nearly $70,000 damage to three vehicles, investigators said Sunday.

Bend Fire & Rescue responded around 5:40 p.m. to the initial report of a dumpster on fire at the car dealer, Deputy Fire Marshal Cindy Kettering said.

They arrived to find the fire instead burning three vehicles, a utility pole, pallets and adjacent landscaping, he said.

The fire was knocked down quickly, but due to the electrical hazard from arcing lines at the power pole, firefighters could not finish putting out the blaze until about a half-hour later, when Pacific Power crews were able to shut off the power.

An investigation determined the fire was caused by an electrical failure of unknown type at the utility pole, Kettering said Sunday. The fire caused $69,000 in damage to three vehicles – an SUV, pickup and a van.

Kettering also confirmed that a service department employee closing up for the day spotted the fire, informed other workers and used a fire extinguisher that didn't put out the blaze, but did slow it down.

She said the employee then "did the right thing by moving to a safe distance and waiting for fire crews to arrive."

Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind the community to treat electricity with respect and caution, Kettering said.

If you see a fire involving utility lines or a pole, stay far away and call 911. 

Always assume that power lines are live, and don't park or stand under adjacent lines, as they may be at risk of falling.  For more tips on electrical safety, visit the experts at https://www.pacificpower.net/outages-safety/electrical-safety.html