Fire burns shed east of Bend; animals saved

A fire heavily damaged a shed that housed livestock and tools east of Bend early Tuesday morning, but officials said the pigs, chickens and other animals were moved out of the burning structure.

Bend Fire Department crews responded around 5:45 a.m. to the reported outbuilding fire in the 21900 block of Butler Market Road, Battalion Chief Dave Howe said. They arrived to find a 20-by-30-foot outbuilding well-involved in the blaze.

The family dog alerted the owner to the fire, Howe said.

Crews were able to put out the fire and contain the animals. Because of the rural location, water tenders were used to shuttle and supply water, the battalion chief said.

A 1997 Ford pickup truck exposed to the fire sustained damage. Total losses were estimated at $25,000.

An investigation was unable to pinpoint the cause of the fire, Howe said.

Butler Market Road was closed between Hamehook and Dickey roads during firefighting operations, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.