Fire destroys La Pine home; crews stop wildfire

A fire destroyed a La Pine home Thursday afternoon and ignited a wildfire that firefighters were able to stop at a quarter-acre, officials said.

La Pine Rural Fire District firefighters responded around 3:40 p.m. to the report of a single-story structure fully ablaze and spreading to a detached garage and adjacent wildland in the 16000 block of White Buck Avenue, said Fire Chief Mike Supkis.

An engine, three water tenders and four command and support units responded, totaling 15 firefighters and support personnel, Sulis said. An engine from Sunriver and others from the Oregon Department of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service also responded, with 10 more firefighters.

Crews were able to quickly contain the fire to the structure of origin and were on scene for 3 1/2 hours.

One of two occupants was home at the time and was able to escape uninjured, Supkis said. There were no injuries, but the home is considered a total loss.

Investigators traced the fire’s cause to a blown circuit breaker on an outside electrical panel that ignited dry grass, then quickly spread to the home and surrounding area.

The American Red Cross responded to provide assistance to the residents, the fire chief said, adding that the property owner and renters were insured.