Family escapes burning mobile home in Redmond

A Redmond father who smelled smoke Thursday evening was able to escape along with his two children from a fire that caused heavy damage to their mobile home, officials said.

The fire was reported around 6:20 p.m. at the Desert Terrace Mobile Estates at 5063 South Highway 97, said Fire Marshal Traci Cooper.

As it turned out, crews were cleaning up from an unrelated vehicle fire in the mobile home park when they noticed a black column of smoke deeper in the park, Cooper said.

Crews rushed in that direction when Deschutes County 911 dispatchers got a call reporting a structure fire.

The first engine crew on scene reported flames under and on the exterior of the mobile home. Crews quickly moved to prevent further spread of the fire into the interior, Cooper said.

Crews remained on scene for over two hours, putting out hot spots and removing contents. Losses to the building and contents were estimated at $20,000. The displaced family was receiving assistance from family members, officials said.

Cooper said Friday the probable cause of the fire was cigarettes disposed of in bark dust.

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies, Bend firefighters and Pacific Power also assisted in mutual aid and at the scene.