Fire destroys NE Bend backyard shed, threatens homes

A fire in a shed behind a northeast Bend home Wednesday night destroyed the structure, used as a musical instrument workshop. The flames spread to nearby trees and a fence and threatened several homes before crews stopped it, officials said.

Firefighters were dispatched around 8:20 p.m. to the fire in the 400 block of Northeast 10 th Street, Bend Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said. Crews quickly stopped the blaze and prevented damage to any other buildings.

The damage to the 400-square-foot shed in the home’s back yard was too extensive to determine the fire’s exact cause, Derlacki said. Losses were estimated at $5,000 to the building and $5,000 to its contents.

Fire officials said the resident used the shed for metal fabrication to make drums.

Derlacki said the building’s owner had insurance but the occupant did not. He reminded renters of the benefits of having renters’ insurance, as most homeowners’ insurance don’t cover a renter’s contents should fire hit.

“Renters insurance is usually inexpensive and can help you replace your items in the event of a fire or other disaster,” he said.