Power line falls, sparks fire at Redmond’s Bright Wood mill

A downed power line fell onto a roof at Redmond’s Bright Wood Corp., sparking a fire in an electrical box Sunday morning, officials said. A sprinkler system contained the blaze until power was shut off, but damage and expected repair costs still totaled an estimated $400,000.

Redmond fire crews were called out around 10:20 a.m. to the Bright Wood mill at 630 Southeast First Street, said Fire Marshal Traci Cooper.

Firefighters arrived to find the downed power lines and a fire in an electrical box in a mill building, Cooper said.

The sprinkler system activated and contained the fire until Pacific Power could shut off electricity to the area, she added.

Fire crews then ventilated the building to remove smoke and ensure the blaze was extinguished.

Losses were estimated at $400,000 for the building, contents and repairs, Cooper said.

The fire marshal said the cause of the downed power line was not known, though freezing rain had been reported in the area.

Mutual-aid assistance was provided by the Cloverdale, Bend and Crooked River Ranch fire departments.