A structure fire of a single-family house started in the early morning hours of May 1^st in the northeast side of Bend.  Two occupants were awoken by a working smoke alarm in a spare bedroom in their home around 05:00 on Wednesday, May 1^st.  Occupants awoke hearing an active smoke alarm and went to see what the problem was.  Occupants saw hazy smoke in the nearby kitchen and spare bedroom and called 911.  On further investigation they noticed smoke coming out of an exterior wall and saw fire on the exterior of their house through a bedroom window.  Occupants attempted extinguishment and Bend Fire Crews quickly arrived and extinguished the remaining fire, limiting it to the spare bedroom.  The cause of the fire has been determined to be ashes removed from a woodstove the day prior and placed in a combustible container on the exterior of the house.  Working smoke alarms alerted the occupants, that were asleep at the time, of the fire incident in the early stages of fire growth.  By having working smoke alarms alert the occupants, damage was limited to one area of a spare bedroom and no injuries were reported to either the occupants or fire crews.

            When removing ashes from a wood stove always assume they are hot, having potential to ignite combustible materials.  Always place ashes in a non-combustible, metal container, well away from other combustibles and extinguish with water before disposing of cold ashes. Ashes can remain hot enough to ignite combustible materials for several days or longer, if not properly extinguished.  Bend Fire & Rescue would also like to remind everyone to check for working smoke alarms in their homes.  More information on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and assistance, can be found on the City of Bend Fire & Rescues website, under Community Programs.