Fire destroys SE Bend home; area seeks smoke, hears booms
A garage fire spread and destroyed a southeast Bend home late Sunday afternoon, with booms heard over a wide area likely from tires exploding, officials said. The fire also destroyed a car and a boat, but there were no injuries and neighbors helped residents and pets evacuate safely.
Firefighters responded at 4:47 p.m. to the reported garage fire at 272 Southeast Ventura Place, said Bend Fire Inspector Steve Stenkamp. Arriving crews found the garage engulfed, along with two cars and a boat ablaze, he said.
“Due to heavy fire and a downed, live power line, crews were forced to engage in a defensive suppression strategy,” the fire official said.
The fire was discovered when the tenants returned home to find smoke coming into the residence from the garage, he said.
Bend Fire Battalion Chief Dave Howe said it’s likely neighbors were hearing the tires on the involved vehicles explode, as propane tanks vent to relieve pressure “with a roaring, screaming sound.”
The house, valued at $275,000, was considered a total loss, as were contents valued at $50,000 and the boat and one of the cars, valued at $35,000.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
The American Red Cross Cascades Region sent a disaster response team to help the five adults and one child affected by the fire The Red Cross provided resources to help address the immediate basic needs of those affected such as Ikea bedding kits, comfort kits, and information about recovery services and mental health services.
Bend police assisted with crowd and traffic control, while the Sunriver and Redmond fire departments provided mutual aid to cover other calls in the area.
Bend Fire Battalion Chief Dave Howe told NewsChannel 21 that what people heard weren’t explosions, but propane tanks venting to relieve pressure as they are designed to do. Bend Police Lt. Brian Kindel said witnesses reported hearing as many as five booms
Area streets were blocked off and Deschutes County 911 dispatchers urged people to avoid the area.
