Propane BBQ sparks costly NW Bend house fire

A fire started by a propane barbecue malfunction quickly spread and caused $175,000 damage at a northwest Bend home Monday evening, officials said.

Firefighters responded shortly after 6 p.m. to the report of a barbecue explosion and house fire in the 3000 block of Northwest Underhill Place, Fire Inspector Steve Stenkamp said.

The first units to arrive found flames on an exterior wall that had spread into the attic of a two-story home, he said. Firefighters were able to quickly put out the exterior fire before tackling the fire in the attic.

The homeowners said they had lit their barbecue and discovered flames after a brief warm-up period. Stenkamp said the homeowner first called 911, then used two home extinguishers to try to put out the fire.

Losses were estimated at $150,000 to the home, valued at $900,000, and $25,000 worth of contents.