Official: Smoking materials spark fire that damages NE Bend home

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A family of five and their pets escaped unhurt, but a fire caused by improper disposal of smoking materials caused $60,000 damage to a northeast Bend home late Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

Fire crews responded around 4:30 p.m. to the fire in the 2400 block of Moonlight Drive, Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said.

The occupants of the home called 911 when they found their back deck on fire and the four adults and a child were able to evacuate with all of their pets, he said.

Fire crews were able to quickly stop the blaze on the back of the house and keep it from spreading. Damage was limited to the deck and a back bedroom.

Derlacki said the fire was caused by improperly disposed of smoking materials into dry material on the ground. The fire spread to the adjacent wooden deck and then to the home.

Losses were estimated at $50,000 to the structure and $10,000 to contents. American Red Cross disaster response was called in to assist the family.

"Bend Fire Department reminds everyone that even the hot ash that drops off the end of cigarette can cause a fire," Derlacki said in a news release.

"We're experiencing very dry conditions this spring, even with the rain we had today," he added. "Be sure that all parts of the cigarette is deposed of into a non-combustible container and that container is emptied regularly. More information can be found at www.bendoregon.gov/smokingfiresafety"