Fire destroys Tumalo barn; no injuries reported

A barn went up in flames on Couch Market Road in the Tumalo area Saturday afternoon, causes $125,000 in losses and sending up a black smoke column visible for miles on a mild, sunny afternoon.

The Bend Fire Department was dispatched around 1:10 p.m. to the reported fire at 18455 Couch Market Road, said Fire Inspector Steve Stenkamp.

The first engine crew to arrive found the roughly 8,000-square-foot barn and riding arena fully involved in fire, Stenkamp said. The fast-moving blaze destroyed the barn and its contents, he added.

A horse that had been in the barn earlier in the day had been let out to pasture and was unhurt, the official added.

A total of three engines, two water tenders and 16 personnel responded to the blaze.

Losses were estimated at $75,000 for the building, which was insured, and $50,000 to its contents. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

The Cloverdale Fire Department provided a mutual-aid tender to help with water delivery, Stenkamp said. The Dechutes County Sheriff’s Office also assisted at the scene.