Downtown Bend apt. fire hits neighboring businesses hard

(Update: Loss figure raised to $600,000; some stores may have lost all inventory)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The loss estimate was raised to $600,000 Wednesday from a Christmas Eve fire that destroyed an upstairs apartment in downtown Bend as officials said several businesses were hit hard by smoke damage, possibly losing all of their inventory.

"Two restaurants are working to reopen after smoke affected their food and serving areas," Bend Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said late Wednesday. "All affected businesses will reopen as soon as they can."

The fire was reported around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday in an upstairs apartment above Tactics, a snowboard shop, located between Wall Street and Brooks Street to the west, both of which were closed for fire operations.

Crews were able to knock down the fire within 12 minutes of arrival, Battalion Chief Dave Howe said.

But losses were estimated at $100,000 to the building, in the 900 block of Northwest Brooks Street, and $500,000 worth of contents .

The residents of the burned apartment were home, but got out unhurt -- except for a pet snake and a turtle, which perished. Howe said they don't fare well in smoky conditions.

Derlacki said fire investigators worked at the scene and interviewed occupants Wednesday. "The fire appears to be accidental," he said, but due to extensive damage to the burned apartment, the exact cause could not be determined.

"The smoke from the fire caused much damage and content loss throughout the block," Derlacki said. "At least five businesses were affected by the smoke," while Mint, a nail salon, was closed due to water damage.

Two upstairs apartments are located in the brick structure, but the fire only burned one of them, as they do not share a common wall, officials said at the scene.

The smoky blaze prompted evacuation of patrons at the nearby Wall Street Grill, Taj Palace Indian Cuisine and Mint, along with the apartments. There was significant smoke damage reported to the snowboard shop.

The roof was vented to help begin clearing heavy smoke from the building.

More than a dozen firefighters were called out, and crews were on scene for about two hours, conducting overhaul and mop-up, Howe said.