$75K stovetop fire displaces Bend family and their pets from duplex

Bend Fire and Rescue says smoke alarms prevented the home from becoming a total loss.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend family and their pets were displaced from their NE Vail Lane duplex Tuesday morning after a kitchen fire broke out while the occupant slept upstairs, but working smoke alarms provided the critical alert that prevented tragedy.

Bend Fire & Rescue responded to the reported kitchen fire in one side of the duplex. The occupant woke to the sound of smoke alarms, found the house filled with smoke, evacuated safely and called 911. Fire crews arrived shortly after and contained the blaze, limiting damage to a minor fire in the kitchen and smoke throughout the house. Any delay in calling 911 could have resulted in the complete loss of the home and contents.

The Red Cross was called to assist the renters, who will be out of the house until repairs are completed. The family pets also evacuated safely. Damage is estimated at $75,000 to the house and contents. The family has renters' insurance. No damage was reported to the other side of the duplex.

Investigators traced the fire to the stovetop in the kitchen. It's unclear if the stove was left on or if the knob was accidentally bumped, but food on the stovetop caught fire and spread to adjacent cupboards.

Fire officials emphasized the lifesaving role of the working smoke alarms. With the occupant asleep upstairs, the alarms alerted them to the fire below. Modern construction and furnishings burn much faster than older homes — what took 17 minutes to become unsurvivable 50 years ago now takes just 3 minutes due to plastics in today's materials. A few more minutes of thick smoke from the burning cabinets could have been deadly.

This incident serves as a reminder to test smoke alarms regularly and replace them if needed. Tips for home smoke alarms include:

• Smoke and CO alarms last 10 years before needing replacement.
• Change alkaline batteries annually.
• Many new hardwired alarms use lithium batteries that don't require annual changes.
• New alarms often include adapters for easy installation without rewiring.

Bend-area residents needing assistance with alarms can call Bend Fire & Rescue at 541-322-6386 to schedule a visit. Those outside the area should contact their local fire department or Red Cross branch.