Residents flee as fire destroys SW Bend home

A fire that reportedly began on the deck destroyed a southwest Bend home Monday afternoon, displacing a family of three, authorities said.

The initial report around 4:25 p.m. was of a home’s deck on fire at 19600 Buck Canyon Road, but by the time crews arrived, they found the manufactured home well involved, said Bend fire Battalion Chief Dave Howe.

Residents and their pets were seen running out to safety; a witness said a woman collapsed after fleeing the home.

The firefighters forced entry into the home, doused the blaze and searched the building, to make sure no one was inside.

The structure, valued at $75,000, was a total loss, as were the $25,000 worth of contents, Howe said, adding that the couple was not insured.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, he said.

The department said Beau and Diane Hollowell lived in the rental home, owned by the Arnold Irrigation District.

The Oregon chapter of the American Red Cross said its volunteers responded to help the couple, their child and cat. They provided food, clothing, comfort kits and other disaster support.

Howe reminded renters that “insuring their possessions will protect their value in the event of fire.”

Nearly two-dozen firefighters responded to the blaze, with mutual aid provided by the Forest Service and Oregon Department of Forestry. Redmond firefighters also came in to help cover the district for other calls, Howe said.