Fire heavily damages home in Woodside Ranch

(Update: New video from scene; comments from neighbors, details fire official)

A home was heavily damaged by a fire Friday night in the Woodside Ranch neighborhood south of Bend, and a fire official said it was close to a total loss, at more than $200,000 damage.

The report of a structure fire in the 20600 block of Coventry Circle came around 8:40 p.m.

Deputy Fire Marshal Cindy Kettering said the structure was so involved in flames when crews arrived, the fire had to be fought defensively, from the exterior. She said the home was unoccupied and undergoing renovation at the time of the fire.

A neighbor who lives three homes away said he called 911 to report the fire when he spotted the flames.

” At first, it looked like a brilliant sunset. As we rounded the corner, it was fully engulfed, ” Carl Natalizia said. ” It was so engulfed, we couldn’t even see the structure itself. ”

The cause of the fire was under investigation. Losses were estimated at $200,000 to the $250,000 structure, as well as $5,000 worth of contents.

Kettering said there were work crews at the home earlier in the day, working on the remodel . However, she said they were not yet sure if that had any connection to the fire’s cause. Officials said they would return to the scene Saturday to continue that investigation.

There were no reports of injuries to people or animals. Crews were still on scene some 90 minutes later, and there were still flames and smoke coming from the two-story structure.

” So right now, what they’re doing is overhauling the fire, ” Kettering said. ” The main body of the fire has been extinguished. What they need to do now is look for any hot spots, any embers, and make sure the fire is fully extinguished. ”

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch sent a pair of engine crews to patrol for any spot fires in the heavily wooded area.

Kettering spoke with the homeowners when they arrived on the scene shortly before 10 p.m.

” As you can imagine, they are in a state of shock and disbelief, as anyone would be in their situation, ” the fire official said.

In a general statement, Kettering wrote in a news release: ” The Bend Fire Department would like to remind the community that home fire safety is up to you! ”

” Put safety first when performing work around your home and property – make sure cigarettes are properly disposed of in a non-combustible ashtray (never on the ground), ensure oily rags are placed in water to soak, and use caution performing any work such as welding or grinding that produces sparks. ”