Bend apartment fire caused by smoking materials, three units damaged

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A fire sparked by improperly disposed smoking materials damaged three units at the Canal Commons apartment complex in Bend on Tuesday afternoon. The blaze began on a couch in an upstairs unit shortly after 4 p.m.

The apartment's sprinkler system activated immediately, which first responders said performed most of the work to contain the flames. By the time the Bend Fire Department arrived on the scene, the fire was nearly out.

Alex Harris, a resident at the complex, first noticed smoke coming from the apartment directly above his own. Because he was familiar with his neighbor, Harris ran upstairs to check on her well-being.

Upon entering the unit, Harris discovered the resident was not home. He secured the woman's pets and used a portable fire extinguisher on the burning couch while the overhead sprinklers continued to spray water. Harris then called the fire department to report the emergency.

Harris described his neighbor as a kind person and expressed sympathy for her situation. "It's been great. She's very sweet. She's always kind. I've never had any problems with her," Harris said. "And I feel really bad for her that she's had her whole place destroyed like this."

The Bend Fire Department confirmed the details of the incident and identified the cause as improperly disposed of smoking materials. One unit sustained direct fire damage, while two additional units suffered water damage as a result of the sprinkler activation.