Garage Fire Displaces Family In Bend 3-10-26 (Photo)
- 03/11/26
Bend Fire & Rescue was called to a fire in a garage in the 700 block of SE Douglas, just off Wilson Ave at 10:43 pm 3/10/26. The occupants were alerted to the fire by their smoke alarms and were able to evacuate safely and call 911 when the fire was still small. A quick response to the scene allowed the fire crews to keep the fire from spreading much beyond the single car garage.
The cause was linked to woodstove ashes being disposed of into the trash inside the garage. The fire spread to the contents of the garage and was just starting to get into the house when fire crews extinguished it. Red Cross was called to provide assistance for the family as the house is unsafe to stay in for now. The renters and owners both have insurance to help rebuild. The loss is estimated at $50,000 to the building and contents.
It is important to dispose of hot ashes from wood burning appliances correctly. Best practice is to first let ashes cool in the burning appliance for 2-3 days before taking them out. Then when they have cooled significantly place them in a non-combustible container, such as a sturdy metal container with metal lid and leaving in the container, 10 feet away from any combustibles, until completely cool and extinguished. This can take multiple days or even weeks. Ashes taken out of a wood burning appliance can remain hot enough to ignite combustibles for 4 – 7 days, in some cases even longer, after they have been removed from the source. Even though they may not be smoking or feel hot to the touch, hot embers may be deep inside of ash and remain hot enough to support combustion. Never place hot ashes in a plastic or combustible container or near combustible materials prior to ensuring complete extinguishment.
Working smoke alarms saved this family and lessened the damage to the house. Bend Fire & Rescue had helped the occupants of this house in late 2025 check their alarms and ensure they were working properly. This proactive work by the occupants ensured they were working in case of a fire. And tonight, that simple step helped save their lives. If you need assistance with your smoke alarms, call Bend Fire & Rescue at 541-322-6386 for free assistance in checking and installing your alarms. Last year Bend Fire & Rescue helped hundreds of families install 1,500 smoke alarms they purchased for their homes. If you don’t live in the Bend area, check with your local fire department or the Central/Eastern Oregon Chapter of the Red Cross at 541-382-2142 for assistance.
Garage Fire Displaces Family In Bend 3-10-26 (Photo)
- 03/11/26
Bend Fire & Rescue was called to a fire in a garage in the 700 block of SE Douglas, just off Wilson Ave at 10:43 pm 3/10/26. The occupants were alerted to the fire by their smoke alarms and were able to evacuate safely and call 911 when the fire was still small. A quick response to the scene allowed the fire crews to keep the fire from spreading much beyond the single car garage.
The cause was linked to woodstove ashes being disposed of into the trash inside the garage. The fire spread to the contents of the garage and was just starting to get into the house when fire crews extinguished it. Red Cross was called to provide assistance for the family as the house is unsafe to stay in for now. The renters and owners both have insurance to help rebuild. The loss is estimated at $50,000 to the building and contents.
It is important to dispose of hot ashes from wood burning appliances correctly. Best practice is to first let ashes cool in the burning appliance for 2-3 days before taking them out. Then when they have cooled significantly place them in a non-combustible container, such as a sturdy metal container with metal lid and leaving in the container, 10 feet away from any combustibles, until completely cool and extinguished. This can take multiple days or even weeks. Ashes taken out of a wood burning appliance can remain hot enough to ignite combustibles for 4 – 7 days, in some cases even longer, after they have been removed from the source. Even though they may not be smoking or feel hot to the touch, hot embers may be deep inside of ash and remain hot enough to support combustion. Never place hot ashes in a plastic or combustible container or near combustible materials prior to ensuring complete extinguishment.
Working smoke alarms saved this family and lessened the damage to the house. Bend Fire & Rescue had helped the occupants of this house in late 2025 check their alarms and ensure they were working properly. This proactive work by the occupants ensured they were working in case of a fire. And tonight, that simple step helped save their lives. If you need assistance with your smoke alarms, call Bend Fire & Rescue at 541-322-6386 for free assistance in checking and installing your alarms. Last year Bend Fire & Rescue helped hundreds of families install 1,500 smoke alarms they purchased for their homes. If you don’t live in the Bend area, check with your local fire department or the Central/Eastern Oregon Chapter of the Red Cross at 541-382-2142 for assistance.