Fire destroys garage of SW Bend home, 2 vehicles

(Update: More info from fire dept.; cause of fire undetermined)

A fierce fire destroyed the attached garage of a southwest Bend home early Wednesday afternoon, as well as two cars parked in the driveway, causing about $170,000 in losses but no injuries, officials said.

Bend Fire Department crews responded around 12:25 p.m. to the home in the 20000 block of Mount Hope Lane, west of the Bend Parkway and north of Badger Road, Battalion Chief Dave Howe said.

They arrived to find the attached garage ablaze, with flames extending to two cars parked in the driveway, in front of the garage door, Howe said. The home’s two occupants were home at the time but had gotten out before crews arrived.

Crews quickly put out the fire and learned it had not extended into the house. There was smoke damage to the interior, but no heat or fire damage, Howe said.

“The gypsum board wall between the garage and the living quarters can resist fire for an hour, and this feature played a key role into protecting the house,” the battalion chief said in a news release.

Losses were estimated at $100,000 to the building, $50,000 worth of contents and $20,000 for the vehicles.

Fire investigators were unable to immediately determine a cause for the blaze. The American Red Cross was called in to provide disaster assistance to the residents.

The home is insured and the residents had purchased renter’s insurance, so their belongings are covered as well, Howe said. He wanted to remind Bend residents that a landlord’s insurance policy does not cover renters’ property, “so a renter’s insurance policy is an important and relatively inexpensive purchase to protect your belongings.”

Also, he wrote, “When you practice your family fire escape plan, make a mental note to close the door behind you as you exit the house. This will restrict the fire’s access to oxygen and slow its spread.’