Fire destroys large home undergoing remodel north of Sisters; losses estimated at $2.5 million; cause under investigation

Home was unoccupied; no nearby hydrants, several agencies assist

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A fire early Thursday morning destroyed a large, unoccupied home undergoing a major remodel north of Sisters, and losses are estimated at $2.5 million. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the blaze.

Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District crews responded around 2 a.m. to the reported house fire in the 69000 block of Old Barn Court, Deputy Fire Chief Tim Craig said. They arrived to find the home heavily involved, with flames venting through the roof.

The first Sisters firefighters to arrive, supported by an engine crew from Cloverdale and a ladder  truck from Black Butte Ranch, were able to bring the fire under control, Craig said, but the home and contents were a total loss.

Because the fire occurred in a rural area with no nearby fire hydrants, the operation also was supported by water tenders from Sisters, Cloverdale and Bend Fire & Rescue.

A firefighter who suffered a minor injury due to a slip on ice was treated at the scene and released by paramedics.

“On arrival, we found defensive fire conditions, meaning that the fire had progressed throughout the structure and it was unsafe for firefighters to enter," Craig said in a news release.

"Part of the roof had already collapsed prior to our arrival, and remaining portions of the home collapsed shortly after we got there,” he added.

Craig went on to say, “I’d like to thank our partner agencies of Cloverdale and Black Butte Ranch fire districts for their support on this incident, as well as Bend and Redmond Fire for providing an engine and an ambulance to cover our region while we were busy with this fire."

The total response included three fire engines, one ladder truck, five water tenders, five chief officers, 28 firefighters and four support volunteers.