Official: NE Bend apartment fire caused by smoking material left in ashtray

(Update: Fire caused by smoking material left in ashtray; $60,000 damage)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A fire that an official said was caused by smoking material left in an ashtray damaged a northeast Bend apartment early Wednesday afternoon, causing no injuries but causing $60,000 damage and prompting the evacuation of eight neighbors.

The fire was reported around 12:40 p.m. in an upstairs bedroom of a unit at the Mountain Glen Apartments at 900 NE Butler Market Road.

Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said the fire was reported by a neighbor who called 911 and alerted the resident, who was across the street at a friend’s home.

Working smoke alarms alerted the neighbor and made for quicker fire department response, limiting the damage, Derlacki said.

The fire-hit apartment and neighbors were evacuated from the four-unit building. Flames and smoke were showing as the first police and fire units arrived on the scene.

The fire was reported to be knocked down about 15 minutes after crews arrived.

Derlacki said the resident said he had been smoking earlier and left it in an ashtray near an open window. Derlacki said the fire was caused by improper disposal of smoking materials that ignited other combustible materials, causing the fire to spread.

Firefighters checked for any extension into the attic or neighboring units. But the other three units sustained no damage and residents were allowed back into their apartments.

Losses were estimated at $50,000 to the structure and $10,000 worth of contents.

Unfortunately, Derlacki said, the resident did not have renter’s insurance, which “is relatively inexpensive and can help offset the cost of replacing your valuables.”