Fire begins in garage workbench, causes $50,000 damage to Cloverdale home; residents awakened by smoke alarm

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A fire that broke out in a garage workbench caused about $50,000 damage to a home in the Cloverdale area Monday morning, also briefly shutting nearby U.S. Highway 20, but the residents awakened by a smoke alarm escaped unhurt.

Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District crews were alerted to the fire just after 9 a.m. when several passing motorists called Deschutes County 911 to report smoke coming from the two-story structure, located less than 100 feet from the highway, Fire Chief Thad Olsen said.

Initial information to dispatchers was that someone was still in the building, trying to put the fire out, Olsen said. But everyone was out of the residence when firefighters arrived, a search confirmed.

The first crew on scene knocked down the blaze within five minutes of arrival, the fire chief said, but smoke damage resulted in the $50,000 damage estimate.

The homeowners said they were awakened by their smoke alarm and noticed the smoke, then went downstairs and found the fire in the attached garage. One used a garden hose to try to put out the flames for a time, Olsen said.

Cloverdale RFPD sent two engines and a water tender, while and engine and ambulance were sent by the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District. Bend Fire & Rescue sent a mutual-aid engine from their Tumalo station.

“We did close the highway for about 10 minutes,” Olsen said.

The cause of the fire was unknown, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office sent an investigator to help investigate it.