Four escape SE Bend house fire traced to ashes

Four residents escaped unhurt from an early-morning fire at a southeast Bend home that investigators said was caused by the improper disposal of warming-fire ashes in a plastic bucket beside the house.

The fire, reported around 3:15 a.m., caused an estimated $25,000 in damage to the two-story home at 20331 Silver Sage Street, said Bend Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki.

The fire was reported on the exterior of the home and spreading, Derlacki said. Crews quickly stopped the fire from spreading upon arrival.

One occupant woke up to the fire and got all four residents to evacuate and called 911. The home has working smoke alarms, but they did not sound, since the fire was on the exterior, spreading from the back patio into the wall and concealed spaces.

Derlacki said an investigation determined the fire was caused from the improper disposal of ashes from a Thursday night warming fire, which were placed in a plastic bucket up against the home. The ashes ignited the bucket and the fire then spread to the home.

American Red Cross disaster volunteers responded to assist six adults, providing recovery and local resource information, including info on disaster health and mental health.

Derlacki said the Bend Fire Department reminds everyone to be very careful with ash disposal, whether it is from a woodstove or campfire. Ash can hold its heat for days and can easily ignite combustibles such as plastic and paper if it is not disposed of properly.

Here are some tips on proper disposal of ash:
Safe disposal of hot ashes from wood stoves, fire pits or BBQ’s:
–Place ashes in a metal container with a tight cover and place at least 3ft away from combustible decks, porches, woodpiles and out- buildings.
–Never put ashes of any kind into paper or plastic bags.
–Add water or ice to the bucket and allow to fully absorb to cool the ash faster.
–Ashes can keep hot for several days after disposal; ensure the ash is cold to the touch before disposing of them further.
–Improperly disposed of ashes is a leading cause of deck fires in the winter time.
–Local disposal companies do not want hot ashes dumped in their trash containers as this can lead to a fire in the garbage truck or landfill
–Do not dispose hot ash into combustible bags or containers
More information can be found at: http://www.bendoregon.gov/index.aspx?page=1016

For renters, a reminder that getting Renters insurance is highly recommended by the Bend Fire Department. Most home or building owners insurance won’t cover the cost of renter’s belongings in the event of a fire or other disaster. Renters insurance is usually very cost-effective for any budget. Also, depending on the insurance company, many insurance companies offer discounts for having multiple policies (car and renters) with the company, making the insurance even more affordable.