Fire traced to weed-burning with torch causes $100K damage to NE Bend home; area’s second such fire in days

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A fire that caused an estimated $100,000 damage to a northeast Bend home Tuesday afternoon was caused by the resident burning weeds with a propane torch, officials said – the Bend area’s second such structure fire cause this week.

The fire was reported around 3 p.m. in the 2700 block of NE Hope Drive when the occupants noticed smoke in the garage, evacuated and quickly called 911, Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said.

Bend Fire & Rescue crews arrived to find flames on the outside of the garage and traveling up from the ground to the home’s second story, Derlacki said.

Firefighters were able to make a quick attack and stop the fire from spreading further or to nearby structures, he said. But there was damage to the garage, attic and second-floor walls, as well as electrical components.

A resident was burning weeds with a propane torch, Derlacki said, and the hot embers spread from the ground to the nearby home.

Derlacki noted it was the second structure fire this week in Bend's fire district due to weed-burning with a propane torch near a structure; the first destroyed a Tumalo barn on Saturday evening.

Bend Fire and Rescue would like to remind you that debris burning is prohibited within city limits, this includes weed burners. In the city of Bend campfires, warming fires, commercial fire pits and BBQ burning is allowed. Debris burning is also allowed outside the city limits of Bend if burn regulations are being followed. 10-foot separation between combustibles and any burning is required at all times. www.bendoregon.gov/burninginfo