Bend Fire & Rescue

Emergency Messages as of 10:31 PM, Tue. Sep 23

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News Release

Fire Extinguished At Local News Studio. - 09/27/23

Shortly after 7:00 PM tonight, Bend Fire and Rescue responded to a report of smoke in the KTVZ news building located at 62990 OB Riley road. The building was occupied at the time. Staff called 911 and evacuated the building. Fire crews searched the interior and roof for the source and found a fire in an interior office. The fire was extinguished and building ventilated. Damage is estimated at $50000 in contents and $10000. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

UPDATED INFORMATION:

After further investigation it was determined the fire was caused by lithium battery chargers in an office in the center of the building. The chargers were for the camera and lighting batteries used by reporters. When the fire started it spread to nearby storage bins and bags. Its unclear if the charger or the battery failed in this case. With the quick response by staff and calling 911, the fire was kept small and the building is able to be reoccupied as soon as the smoke odor has been cleaned up. 

To help prevent this type of fire in your home or business; here are some safety tips for battery charging whether it's camera batteries, e-bikes, drones, or any battery or device with a battery in it:
- Follow all manufactures guidelines for use of the charger and battery.
- Never charge a lithium battery that has been damaged, has signs of damage or is wet. Replace the battery before using or charging the device. 
- Once the battery has charged, most manufactures suggest removing the battery from the charger or unplugging the charger to stop the charging process. With no power source, the battery and charger will have less of a chance to over heat or fail. Over charging can lead to fires. 
- Set a timer to remind you when the charging is done so you can remove the battery. 
- Keep chargers away from other combustibles in case they do catch on fire, its harder for the fire to spread.
- Stop using any charger or battery that appears damaged, isn't charging properly or is malfunctioning. Replace the device immediately. 
- Lithium batteries can be recycled, please do not throw them in the trash. They can be taken to your local recycling/transfer center for recycling and many electronics stores have battery recycling bins. The components can be made into new batteries. Alkaline batteries can be disposed of into the regular trash. Deschutes County Solid Waste and local garbage companies ask that you do not throw them in the trash. Lithium batteries in the trash can get damaged and wet during the disposal process and pose a risk of a fire in the trash can, dumpster, garbage truck and possibly the landfill itself. 

Fire Extinguished At Local News Studio. - 09/27/23

Shortly after 7:00 PM tonight, Bend Fire and Rescue responded to a report of smoke in the KTVZ news building located at 62990 OB Riley road. The building was occupied at the time. Staff called 911 and evacuated the building. Fire crews searched the interior and roof for the source and found a fire in an interior office. The fire was extinguished and building ventilated. Damage is estimated at $50000 in contents and $10000. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

UPDATED INFORMATION:

After further investigation it was determined the fire was caused by lithium battery chargers in an office in the center of the building. The chargers were for the camera and lighting batteries used by reporters. When the fire started it spread to nearby storage bins and bags. Its unclear if the charger or the battery failed in this case. With the quick response by staff and calling 911, the fire was kept small and the building is able to be reoccupied as soon as the smoke odor has been cleaned up. 

To help prevent this type of fire in your home or business; here are some safety tips for battery charging whether it's camera batteries, e-bikes, drones, or any battery or device with a battery in it:
- Follow all manufactures guidelines for use of the charger and battery.
- Never charge a lithium battery that has been damaged, has signs of damage or is wet. Replace the battery before using or charging the device. 
- Once the battery has charged, most manufactures suggest removing the battery from the charger or unplugging the charger to stop the charging process. With no power source, the battery and charger will have less of a chance to over heat or fail. Over charging can lead to fires. 
- Set a timer to remind you when the charging is done so you can remove the battery. 
- Keep chargers away from other combustibles in case they do catch on fire, its harder for the fire to spread.
- Stop using any charger or battery that appears damaged, isn't charging properly or is malfunctioning. Replace the device immediately. 
- Lithium batteries can be recycled, please do not throw them in the trash. They can be taken to your local recycling/transfer center for recycling and many electronics stores have battery recycling bins. The components can be made into new batteries. Alkaline batteries can be disposed of into the regular trash. Deschutes County Solid Waste and local garbage companies ask that you do not throw them in the trash. Lithium batteries in the trash can get damaged and wet during the disposal process and pose a risk of a fire in the trash can, dumpster, garbage truck and possibly the landfill itself.