Update: Flue fire causes $500,000 damage to Broken Top home
Authorities on Saturday raised the damage estimate for a Friday night house fire in Bend’s Broken Top gated community to $500,000 and said it began in the chimney flue shortly after the homeowners started a fire in the fireplace.
Firefighters responded shortly before 7 p.m. Friday to the report of a fire at 61446 Tam McArthur Loop and found the second floor of the home involved in fire and smoke, said Bend Fire Battalion Chief Dave Howe.
The residents were alerted by smoke alarms that sounded before they saw or smelled smoke, and they were able to get out and call 911, Howe said.
On Saturday, Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said the homeowners had lit the fireplace and the smoke alarms began sounding within an hour. They went to investigate and found flames coming from the chimney enclosure on the roof. They then fled and called 911.
The fire spread into the attic space and did significant damage to the rafters and roof, also causing the ceiling to collapse into the house.
Due to the tile roof cover and damaged roof structural members, the risk of a collapse was heightened, Howe said, so firefighters had taken extra care as they extinguished the fire in the attic.
Officials initially estimated the damage at $300,000, but after daylight, more extensive damage was revealed and the losses were raised to $500,000 – $400,000 to the structure and $100,000 worth of contents.
Deschutes County property tax records indicate the 4,600-square-foot owned by Jeremiah and Katherine Bohannon was built in 2011 and had a value of $1 million.
Derlacki said it appeared the flue had not been cleaned for more than a year. He said the insurance company will be testing the flue to see if the fire started inside the pipe or outside of it.
A total of 17 personnel were called out, while Redmond, Sunriver and Crook County fire agencies were called in as mutual aid to help staff stations, Howe said.
Derlacki said in Saturday’s update, “This is a great time to remind everyone that winter is coming and it is time to make sure your flue has been cleaned before you start burning your woodstove, fireplace or pellet stove this winter.”
“Have a certified chimney sweep clean and inspect your chimney and fireplace for creosote buildup, cracks, crumbling bricks, damaged pipes and obstructions at least once a year for occasional users, twice a year if you use your woodstove as your primary source of heat,” the fire official said.
“Only physical cleaning can remove creosote buildup. Wood stove cleaning logs are effective to help prevent creosote buildup but not in removing creosote already on the flue lining,” Derlacki added.
He also noted the home’s working smoke alarms ensured they got out of the home safety.
The main message of the recent National Fire Prevention Week was to ensure everyone has working smoke alarms in their home.
The Bend Fire Department offers free home visits to anyone that would like help ensuring their home is equipped with the proper smoke and CO alarms. Derlacki urged residents to call the main office at 541-322-6309 to schedule an appointment. If you live outside of the Bend area, please check with your local fire agency for their availability to come out.
More information about smoke alarms and fireplaces can be found at:
www.bendoregon.gov/safetyinfo
