Fire destroys pole barn east of Bend

A wind-whipped late-night fire engulfed a pole barn east of Bend late Sunday night, also burning a vehicle, but fire crews kept it from reaching a home just 30 feet away, officials said.

A passing ODOT crew called in the fire at 22980 E. Hwy. 20 around 11:40 p.m., said Bend fire Battalion Chief Bill Boos.

Arriving fire crews found the structure on property owned by Dr. Pat Conner was 3/4-involved in the blaze, spreading to nearby brush and debris, and the home about 30 feet away, Boos said.

Crews set up a large water tank on site, replenishing it from a hydrant down the street. Both lanes of Highway 20 were blocked while crews brought the fire under control.

Firefighters were on scene for about four hours, due to extensive overhaul to the pole barn with limited manpower, Boos said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Losses were estimated at $30,000 to the building, $6,000 to its contents and $13,000 to a vehicle.