Wood stove ashes in plastic trash can ignite fire, cause $25,000 damage to SW Bend home

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Wood stove ashes placed in a plastic trash can hours earlier sparked a fire that caused about $25,000 damage to a southwest Bend home Wednesday night, officials said.

The fire at a home in the 60000 block of River Bend Drive was called in by a neighbor shortly before 8:30 p.m., Fire Investigator Jason Kamperman said.

The neighbors alerted the residents to the fire, and after 911 was called, they proceeded to extinguish the flames, Kamperman said.

Bend Fire crews continued suppression efforts and checked the two-story home for any fire extension into the interior or attic spaces.

Kamperman said the blaze was mostly contained to the home’s exterior, with some extension to the siding and roof eaves.

The fire was found to be accidental, ignited by hot ashes put in a plastic trash can near the home’s exterior Wednesday morning, the fire official said. The occupant had cleaned the wood stove of ashes that appeared to be extinguished.

One minor injury was reported during the incident.

"Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind everyone of the proper way to dispose of hot ashes from wood-burning appliances," Kamperman said.

"Always assume that ashes are hot -- even after several days, there can be ashes that are hot enough to ignite combustibles. It is recommended that ashes removed from a wood-burning appliance be placed in a non-combustible metal container, with a metal lid, and removed to outside of the structure, well away from combustible materials. The ashes can be wetted down but should be stored in a metal container for several days until completely cool before disposal."