NE Bend gym damaged by stubborn fire

A fire traced to a sauna heater caused an estimated $85,000 to a northeast Bend gym on Saturday, officials said.

Crews responded around 11:30 a.m. to the report of smoke at Fitness 1440 on Northeast Second Street, said Fire Inspector Steve Stenkamp.

The occupants of the business had evacuated before fire crews arrived and found light smoke in the building and smoke coming from the roof, Stenkamp said.

Firefighters learned the fire had originated in the men’s locker room sauna and extended into a void space between the ceiling and the roof, complicating efforts to extinguish the blaze, the fire inspector said.

Firefighters cut holes in the roof of the building to ensure the fire was completely out. A total of 24 personnel were involved in the firefighting effort.

Loss were estimated at $75,000 to the building and $10,000 to its contents.

Redmond firefighters provided mutual aid to cover other calls in the fire district.