SW Bend mobile home burns — smoke alarm key

A smoke alarm installed by the Bend Fire Department proved vital — and possibly life-saving — early Friday when it alerted residents of a southwest Bend mobile home of a fire burning beneath their home, officials said.

Firefighters responded just before 12:30 a.m. to the reported fire at 19650 Gunwood Lane in the Romaine Village area, said Battalion Chief Dave Howe.

The arrived to find the light smoke coming from the home and the owner, Richard Drexelius, trying to remove the skirting beneath the home, he said.

Firefighters finished removing the skirting and doused the fire, which caused moderate damage beneath the mobile home but no evidence of fire inside, Howe said.

Nevertheless, the American Red Cross was called in to assist the couple. The agency said it provided help with lodging, food, clothing and information about health and mental health services.

The smoke alarm, installed by the fire department, “was one of the main reasons” residents were able to escape unharmed, said Deputy Fire Marshal Susie Lovisco.

Losses were estimated at $5,000 to the home, which was insured, and $500 to its contents.

Lovisco said an investigation found the fire was caused by improper electrical installation of heat tape, used to insulate pipes for the home’s solar hot-water system, which also had solar panels on the roof and was installed in the late 1980s. She said the heat tape, installed in the late ‘80s, did not have a thermostat and was plugged into a light socket.

The failure generated enough heat to melt the tape, and sparks from the exposed wires ignited nearby insulation, Lovisco said.

She reminded homeowners to inspect heat tapes each year and replace them if you see any signs of deterioration, such as discolored surfaces (especially near the plug), charring, cuts or breaks in the insulation, or bare wires.

Also, Lovisco said, check the installation instructions when you change types or brands of heat tape, as different ones have different insulation requirements.

But bottom line, she said: “The fire serves as a reminder that smoke alarms do work, as long as they are properly maintained.”