Garage fire damages Sisters home

A fire that broke out in a Sisters home’s garage caused significant smoke damage to the home Wednesday morning, officials said. Homeowners who were home and noticed smoke used buckets of water on the flames, while the fire department happened to be holding its monthly staff meeting and rushed to the scene.

Homeowners William and Pat Faris noticed smoke in the garage of their home at 115 North Maple Street and called Deschutes County 911 at 9:37 a.m., said Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Chief Roger Johnson.

The fire began near a work bench in the rear of the garage, he said. The couple filled buckets with water and threw water on the flames from the back door of the garage.

The first firefighters arrived in less than five minutes and put out the blaze, but most of the garage contents sustained fire or smoke damage, Johnson said. The home’s living area had smoke damage and the home’s electrical wiring also was damaged. Central Electric Cooperative crews responded to disconnect power to the home.

Disaster responders with the American Red Cross Cascades Region responded to help the home’s occupants, four adults and a child, with basic needs such as temporary housing, food, clothing and comfort kits, the agency said.

Two people were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, Johnson said.

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District was holding its monthly staff meeting for career firefighters when the fire was dispatched, the chief said. They responded with two engines, an ambulance and three other units and a total of 14 firefighters. Four others responded to the station to stand by for other calls.

“We were fortunate to have the station full of people at the time of the fire,” Johnson said. “Every fire engine rolled out the door full of firefighters.”

In addition, the Black Butte Ranch and Cloverdale fire districts also responded under automatic, mutual-aid agreements. Johnson said when fires occur in Sisters, the other agencies are dispatched automatically. They also train together and have standard operational procedures and communications.

“This was a perfect example of how well the agencies are working together,” Johnson said. Cloverdale Fire Chief Thad Olsen was less than a mile away an responded directly to the scene, assuming command of the operation and directing incoming units.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting with an investigation into the fire cause. Johnson said it’s believed to be accidental.

The homeowners are insured, and there was no damage estimate immediately available, the fire chief said.