Emergency crews battle two separate fires in Bend on Sunday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Two separate fires kept Bend emergency crews busy today, including a brush fire behind the Red Lion Hotel on Butler Market Road and a residential fire on Starling Drive. The brush fire, believed to have originated from an abandoned fire in a houseless encampment, burned slightly over one acre. The residential fire, caused by food left on a stove, resulted in an estimated $100,000 in damages.

The incidents occurred this afternoon, with emergency personnel responding to the brush fire at 1:46 p.m. and the house fire reported at 2:49 p.m.

Bend Fire & Rescue, with assistance from Bend Police and the US Forest Service, quickly contained the brush fire. The Red Lion Hotel was evacuated as a precaution, but occupants were allowed back inside within an hour. While crews managed the brush fire, a second call came in for a house fire on Bend's east side.

The house fire on Starling Drive was initially dispatched to Redmond Fire because all Bend fire engines were occupied with the brush fire. First arriving crews found smoke coming from the house and confirmed no one was home. The fire and smoke caused damage throughout the entire home before being extinguished.

The residential fire was caused by the occupants accidentally leaving food on the stove. The owners had returned home earlier in the day and then left again, forgetting the food. Red Cross is assisting the homeowners with housing until their homeowner's insurance can provide further help.