Smoke alarm awakens Tumalo resident to attic fire that caused $150,000 damage

(Update: Apparent cause; Bend Fire says smoke alarms save lives)

TUMALO, Ore. (KTVZ) – A smoke alarm awakened a Tumalo resident early Wednesday morning to an attic fire that caused an estimated $150,000 in damage, a fire official said -- calling it another reminder that "smoke alarms save lives."

Bend Fire & Rescue crews responded around 2:15 a.m. to the reported house fire in the 66000 block of White Rock Loop, Battalion Chief Scott Wyman said.

The occupant, awakened by the smoke alarm to smoke in the home, safely evacuated and called Deschutes County 911 dispatchers.

The first engine crew to arrive found the working attic fire, Wyman said. Three engines, a ladder truck, a water tender and other personnel responded. The Cloverdale and Redmond fire departments provided mutual-aid assistance.

The home and contents were valued at $400,000, with $150,000 in losses, Wyman said. The resident declined an offer of American Red Cross disaster-relief assistance, he added.

Deputy Fire Marshal Larry Medina said the fire's most probable cause was the heating of combustible construction in the attic space, adjacent to the wood stove flue.

"Bend Fire & Rescue wants to remind the community that a properly maintained wood stove should be inspected and maintained prior to the cold weather where wood stoves are used as a primary or secondary heat source," Medina added.

In his update, Medina added: "SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES! ... If the smoke alarm did not operate, the results could have been deadly." He urged those needing a new smoke alarm or assistance with a replacement to "please contact your local fire agency or the Central & Eastern Oregon Chapter of the American Red Cross at 541-749-4144."