Fire tears through home SW of Redmond

A two-story home southwest of Redmond was destroyed by a fierce fire visible for miles Friday evening, and while no one was home and no injuries were reported, the blaze displaced a family with two children just days before Christmas, officials said.

Redmond Fire and Rescue crews responded just before 7 p.m. to the reported fire at 8164 SW 61 st Street, which was putting up tall flames easily seen from Highway 97 to the east.

More than a dozen firefighters put out the blaze and worked well into the night putting out remaining hot spots, said Fire Marshal Traci Cooper.

The Red Cross was called in to assist the family, Cooper said, and the fire cause was under investigation. A damage estimate was not available due to the continued suppression efforts.

Cooper said late Saturday she had no damage estimate as of yet but that it appeared the structure would be a total loss, with none of the contents salvageable. As for the cause, it’s likely to take until Monday to be able to examine the home’s remains due to hot spots, she said.

Assistance was provided at the scene by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Department and Central Electric Cooperative, while Crooked River Ranch, Bend and Crook County firefighters provided mutual aid for coverage of the district while Redmond crews battled the fire.

Cooper said the agency also provided toys and food from the fire department’s recent donations. and Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies took the family shopping Saturday morning to help them out.

“They have a place to stay, thankfully,” she added.