Electrical fire destroys small outbuilding used as a residence north of Bend that used power from an extension cord

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – An electrical outage was the apparent cause of a fire north of Bend Monday morning that destroyed a small outbuilding used as a residence that was powered with an extension cord, an official said.

Bend Fire and Rescue crews were dispatched at 9:12 a.m. to the reported fire along Deschutes Market Road, just north of the city limits, Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said. Callers said the fire was spreading to outbuildings and brush.

The outbuilding served as a residence for an adult. Derlacki said the occupants of the main house were using garden hoses to try to stop the flames from spreading when crews arrived, and the fire was quickly stopped by the first fire crews on scene, but it consumed the outbuilding and a car next to it.

The fire also spread to adjacent outbuildings, but only caused exterior damage, Derlacki said. Total losses were estimated at $25,000.

The outbuilding resident was at work when the fire broke out, but returned when he heard about the fire, Derlacki said. An American Red Cross rescue team was called to assist the resident, who also lost all of his belongings.

Derlacki said the fire appears to have been caused by an electrical outage in the 12-by-12-foot outbuilding, which had electricity supplied from the house with an extension cord. Due to fire damage, the exact breaking point has not been determined.

“The Bend Fire Department reminds everyone to have working smoke detectors in their home, whether it is a small home, main home or RV” , wrote Derlacki. “Smoke detectors more than double your chances of surviving a fire with their rapid notification, especially with the increased rate at which objects burn in a home now. For help with your smoke detectors, call our main number to arrange a visit, 541-322 -6300.

He said national statistics show that 40 years ago, a house fire took up to 20 minutes to consume a room during the early stages of a fire, and today that same room , equipped with modern furniture and decorations, takes less than five minutes to burn.