Early morning fire causes heavy damage to Bend home

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- An early morning fire caused extensive damage to a Bend home Saturday, with investigators pointing to a pellet stove pipe as the likely source.

Bend Fire & Rescue responded around 5:07 a.m. to a reported structure fire near Thomas Drive and Airpark Drive. When crews arrived within eight minutes of the initial 911 call, they found flames venting through the roof of a single-story home.

The occupant was able to escape safely after being alerted by a working smoke alarm. Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire, preventing further spread.

Investigators determined the fire started in the attic near the stove pipe for a pellet stove. Heat from the pipe ignited nearby insulation and structural materials, allowing the fire to spread through the attic and eventually cause the collapse of portions of the roof and ceiling into the living space.

Damage is estimated at $400,000 to the structure and $80,000 to its contents, which included a vehicle parked inside the garage at the time of the fire. The resident declined assistance from the American Red Cross.

Fire officials are using the incident as a reminder of the importance of working smoke alarms. According to the National Fire Protection Association, most home fire deaths occur in homes without them.

Bend Fire & Rescue offers free smoke alarm consultations and can be reached at 541-322-6386. Those outside the Bend area can contact their local fire department or the Central and Eastern Oregon chapter of the Red Cross for assistance.