Natural Gas Explosion At Bend Poker Room (Photo) -02/27/25

At 4:49 pm on Thursday, February 27, Bend Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a reported explosion at the Bend Poker Room, 917 NE Greenwood Avenue.  Initial reports indicated that there had been a small explosion in the kitchen area.  Upon arrival, fire crews entered the structure, finding low levels of natural gas but no fire in the building.  The utilities were secured and Cascade Natural Gas responded to the scene.  One person was transported by ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center.  

 

Upon investigation, it was found that the burners on the natural gas pizza oven had failed to ignite, leading to natural gas filling the oven area and subsequently igniting in a small explosion or flash fire that self-extinguished and did not damage the kitchen.  The scene was turned over to Cascade Natural Gas and fire units cleared the scene. The business was able to open for the evening as normal with the exception of use of the pizza oven.  

 

Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind the community to act fast if you smell natural gas inside a structure.  Evacuate everyone from the structure immediately and call 911 from a safe location well outside of the building.  Don't smoke or operate any electrical devices that could create a spark.  For more information on natural gas safety, visit the Cascade Natural Gas website at https://www.cngc.com/safety-education/emergency-information/.

Update: Cause Is Undetermined. Family Escapes Early Morning House Fire (Photo) -02/25/25

Area of origin of the fire is narrowed down to the SE portion exterior wall of front porch.  The cause of the fire is undertermined. We simply can't rule out the possible ignition sources that we need to, to make an exact determination. Fire apprears to be accidential in nature. 

 

A house fire broke out at 64420 Research Rd, in Tumalo, at 12:00am this morning. A couple and their six children, plus their dog, were awaken by their smoke alarms and were able to escape the blaze. Once they heard the alarms, the resident searched the house and saw their porch and the entire front exterior of their house on fire. The fire extended into the second floor bedroom and into the attic. Crew were able to contain the fire in about 45 minutes. The power had recently been out in the neighborhood and the fire broke out shortly after the power was restored. The fire is under investigation at this time. This could have been a completely different outcome, had the family not had working smoke alarms. Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind residents that having a family escape plan, and practicing it often, is cruical in a safe evaucation from a house fire. For tips on how to create a family escape plan, please call Bend Fire at 541-322-6300 or go to our website. Building and contents are a total loss from fire and smoke damage, estimated at approx. $1.4 million. 

Garage Fire Threatens East Bend Home On 02/19/2025 (Photo) -02/20/25

Bend Fire & Rescue responded to a report of a structure fire east on Bend at 7:59 PM on 02/19/2025.  Crews arrived to find a fully involved detached garage on fire, near a private residence.  All occupant's safety evacuated the primary residence and did not report any injuries.  Fire crews aggressively extinguished the garage fire preventing it from spreading to the primary residence or other property.  Occupants were alerted of the fire by a partial power outage in the residence, alerting them to investigate, finding the garage and two vehicles on fire at the time.  The fire is estimated to have caused approximately $250,000 worth of damages to the structure and vehicles.  The cause of the fire has been determined to be unitentional and electrical in nature. 

 

Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind you of the importance of working smoke alarms as well as defensible space around your home and structures.  More information on defensible space can be accessed under City of Bend's website under Fire & Rescue's Wildfire Preparedness link.   

Smoke Alarms Alert Homeowners Of Flue Fire (Photo) -02/16/25

Two residents were awaken by smoke alarms in their home, at 295 NW Linster Place, Saturday evening. The fire broke out around 9:50pm and the couple had only been asleep for about one hour. They heard the smoke alarms and discovered heavy smoke coming from their flue's wood burning stove. They had made a fire in the woodstove a few hours previously before going to bed, like they often have done in the past. Fire crews arrived on scene within minutes and were able to contain the fire to the flue and prevent further spread. The cause of the fire appears to have originated inside the closed flue, directly above the woodstove, where the radiant heat ignited surrounding insulation.  

Because of the home's working smoke alarms, the couple was alerted, given ample time to grab thier pets and a few belongings and escape unharmed. Bend Fire would like to remind everyone that smoke alarms safe lives, as we have seen tonight. With extremely cold temperatures latey, woodstoves and fireplaces have been running nonstop in homes. Take the time to check your smoke alarms and ensure they are working properly. If you need assistance with your alarms, please contact Bend Fire & Rescue at 541-322-6300, or go to our website and submit a request. The damage is estimated at $10,000-$15,000. 

 

 

Bend Fire & Rescue Encourages Preparedness For Freezing Weather -02/07/25

Below-freezing weather is predicted over the next several days and Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind community members that a few simple actions can help prevent disasters during and after the freezing temperatures.

 

Whether you are a property owner or renter, business manager or contractor - winterizing your home or place of business should be done in the fall, prior to the first freeze to best protect your property.

 

If you are just getting around to winterizing, here are some things you will want to do before the snow freezes this weekend:

 

Protect your pipes: These simple steps can prevent the costly damage from water line breaks and lessen the time to restore your property back to full operation following a break.

• Make sure outdoor faucets and water spigots have insulated covers.
• Cover foundation vents with insulated covers.
• Make sure heating and ventilation systems are in good working order.
• Maintain adequate heating (above 40 degrees Fahrenheit) indoors where pipes are present. This may mean heating normally vacant spaces and opening your cupboards below sinks during freezing weather to allow warm air to circulate and prevent freezing.

Create emergency access: By ensuring access to utilities and pathways, you will have a quicker exit in an emergency and help emergency services respond more efficiently.

• Locate and create access to your water meter box at the street, your natural gas or propane shut offs and other utilities around your home.
• Clear snow to create three feet of space around nearby fire hydrants.
• Clear snow from your sidewalks, driveways, pathways, access to pets and farm animals and vehicles.

Heat with caution: Home heating is the second leading cause of home fires in Oregon and was one of the top causes of structure fires last year in Bend.

• Check that your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are in working order. As the weather gets colder, we tend to shut the house up much more tightly. This can lead to a quicker buildup of smoke and carbon monoxide indoors.
• When using space heaters or other supplemental heating equipment, ensure you follow the instructions for intended use. Many gas-powered heaters are not designed for indoor use and the carbon monoxide they can release could kill you.
• Maintain at least three feet of space around heat sources.
• Ensure all electrical heating appliances are safely plugged into an outlet or approved surge protector.

Commercial Sprinkler Systems

Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind building owners, facility managers, and building maintenance personnel to act before the cold weather hits to prevent fire sprinkler systems from freezing. Our department responds to several fire sprinkler activations due to pipes breaking from freezing every year. These breaks can cause significant water damage and can easily be prevented. Even if they don't break, frozen fire sprinkler pipes render the sprinkler system inoperative, thus jeopardizing lives and property. Check your fire sprinkler system today:

• Ensure that all periodic maintenance has been completed.
• Contact your fire sprinkler service company to schedule service if it is overdue. Frequencies for maintenance vary depending on the type of system that is installed.
• Empty any drains for the sprinkler system to prevent water from building up and freezing on the exterior or exposed areas of these systems.

For more information about preparing for winter, please contact Bend Fire & Rescue Prevention Division at 541-322-6300. Stay safe and warm!