SE Bend house fire traced to cigarettes

Neighbors with a garden hose stepped in before fire crews arrived Wednesday, helping to limit damage from a fire behind a northeast Bend home that investigators said was caused by improperly disposed-of cigarettes.

Firefighters were called around 2:25 p.m. to the reported house fire at 20337 Sonata Way, said Bend Fire Capt. Darren Root. They arrived to find neighbors using a hose to slow a fire on the rear patio that had broken a window and was moving into the home.

Crews quickly put out the fire and made sure it had not extended any further into the home, confining it to the living room and Patio, Root said.

Damages were estimated at $5,000 to the building and $5,000 to the contents.

Root said the cause of the fire was traced to improper disposal of cigarettes into a plastic container. The homeowner had insurance, but the tenants did not have renters insurance, he added.

The fire captain reminded residents of the importance of properly disposing of cigarettes and other smoking materials.

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