Bend Fire & Rescue responded to a reported house fire on Cherrywood Lane in the Woodriver Village neighborhood just before 2am. First arriving crews found the fire in the attic that had vented through the roof. Crews extinguished the fire in the attic and prevented the fire from spreading into the living area of the home. The occupant awoke to the sound of crackling and then noticed an orange glow outside. She quickly evacuated with her dog and called 911.
The fire was traced back to an improperly disposed of cigarette on the back patio the night before. The cigarette was discarded into a flower planter against the house. The dry potting soil and wooden planter ignited and then spread to the exterior of the house before getting into the attic. As the fire and smoke were all in the attic, the smoke alarms did not activate. The fire damage is approximately $100,000 to the house and contents. Crews had to pull most of the homes ceiling and insulation down inside to ensure the fire was completely out. Much of the occupants’ belongings were spared fire damaged though and crews assisted in removing as much as they could to prevent further damage. The occupant has renters’ insurance which will help ensure any damaged belongings can be cleaned and repaired. Red Cross was called in to provide the occupant with a place to stay for the next couple nights.
As always, Bend Fire & Rescue reminds everyone to be safe with all types of smoking materials, both when in use and after. Ensuring cigarettes and all smoking materials are properly disposed of is a simple way to prevent these fires. Place cigarette butts and ash into non-combustible containers when done. Empty those containers regularly. Don’t dispose of any smoking materials, including knocking off the end of a cigarette, into dry ground cover such as bark mulch or pine needles.
