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@BendFireRescue
Today (07/23), at approximately 6PM, Bend Fire and Rescue responded to Regency Village Assisted Living (127 SE Wilson Ave.) for a reported structure fire that originated on a 2nd floor exterior balcony. Resources arrived to find that Regency Village staff members had controlled the fire with the use of two dry chemical fire extinguishers. Staff members also used a pull station to activate the building's alarm system and began to evacuate residents.
Bend Fire and Rescue completed extinguishment of the fire and residents were soon assisted back into the building. An investigation revealed that the fire was caused by an improperly discarded cigarette found in a garden container. The fire caused approximately $1,000 of property damage.
Bend Fire and Rescue would like to remind the public that cigarettes should not be discarded in vegetation such as mulch, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grasses, leaves or other things that could easily ignite. Dousing in water or sand is the best way to make sure butts and ashes are out, before being thrown away.