Cause, security video sought for $1.75 million SE Bend auto body shop fire

(Update: Damage estimate; cause still under investigation)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Firefighters battled both flames and high winds late Monday night when a costly fire broke out at a southeast Bend auto body shop. As investigators searched for a cause Tuesday, they also sought security video from any nearby businesses.

The fire was reported shortly before 10 p.m. at Ron’s Body Shop, in the 900 block of Southeast Armour Road.

First-arriving crews found flames coming through the roof of the main building, Bend Fire Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said.

The body shop's roof began to collapse soon after fire crews arrived, causing firefighters to evacuate the building for safety, Derlacki said.

From then on, it was a defensive attack, as a ladder truck was used to pour water on the blaze from above.

The collapsed roof challenged firefighters working to put out any remaining hot spots. Derlacki said Crews were on scene for several hours, as a result.

Due to extensive damage, the building loss is estimated at $1 million, while the content loss is estimated at $750,000, Battalion Chief Trish Connolly said Tuesday

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Bend Fire & Rescue asked to hear from any businesses in the vicinity of Ron's Body Shop who were able to capture video from their security camera from Monday evening.