Fire destroys home east of Bend; $650K in losses

(Update from fire officials; cause under investigation)

A fast-moving fire destroyed a two-story home east of Bend Monday afternoon, causing an estimated $650,000 in losses but no injuries, officials said.

Crews responded shortly before 1 p.m. to neighbors’ reports of a house fire in the 61000 block of Cougar Trail, located off in the far eastern end of the Bend Fire Department’s coverage area, said Battalion Chief Dave Howe.

They arrived to find the 2,000-square-foot home engulfed and flames spreading to the brush and an adjacent garage, Howe said.

Crews fought the house from a defensive position while aggressively attacking the fire in the garage, which sustained moderate damage.

There were no injuries from the fire, which broke out when the owners were away, Howe said. Losses were estimated at $400,000 to the home and $250,000 worth of contents, which were insured. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Mutual aid crews from the Alfalfa Fire Department assisted with an engine and water tender, and five people, while the BLM sent an engine and two people and the U.S. Forest Service sent a hand crew with four people.

Other assistance was provided by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and Central Electric Cooperative.

Howe said it was the first time the new Alfalfa fire agency has assisted Bend on a large structure fire.

The fire official also reminded area residents that our relatively dry winter has left brush and grass dry enough to ignite easily.

“It pays to be careful with fire all year long,” Howe said.