Fire traced to unattended smoker BBQ destroys Tollgate home; family escapes unhurt, but firefighter injured

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A fire traced to an unattended Traeger smoker barbecue on the front porch destroyed a home in the Tollgate subdivision northwest of Sisters Friday afternoon. The family inside escaped without injury, officials said, but a firefighter was injured.

Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District crews responded around 4:20 p.m. to a reported house fire in the 14800 block of Saddle Horn in the Tollgate area, Division Chief and Fire Safety Manager Jeff Puller said.

Crews arrived to find the single-family home heavily involved in fire, with flames spreading to the grass and brush, Puller said.

The first engine crews from Sisters were jointed by an engine from the Cloverdale Rural Fire District, a ladder truck from Black Butte Ranch Fire and U.S. Forest Service firefighters.

They were able to bring the fire under control, but the home and contents were a total loss. Property loss was estimated at $200,000.

The American Red Cross was called in to assist the displaced family.

An injured firefighter was transported to the hospital.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office and Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District investigated and determined the fire was caused by an unattended Traeger smoker operated on the front porch, which caught fire and spread throughout the home, Puller said.