Heat tape is believed to be the cause of an electrical fire that caused $350,000 in damage to a commercial building near downtown Bend late Saturday night. No injuries were reported. According to Bend Fire and Rescue:
Bend firefighters responded at 11:37 p.m. to a two-story, multi-tenant commercial structure fire at 109 NW Greenwood Avenue. On arrival, Bend Police and Fire personnel discovered smoke and flames coming from the second story and roof of the building. The building was not occupied at the time of the fire, and was equipped with a full fire sprinkler system and alarm system.
Crews were able to access the second floor and credit a single fire sprinkler located in the attic from preventing the spread of fire throughout the building’s attic. Had the fire sprinklers not been in place, the long-term cleanup and disruption of businesses would have been greatly impacted.
A total of three engines, one truck company, one ambulance, one battalion chief and a fire investigator responded.
The value of the building was estimated at 2.7 million dollars with property losses estimated at $200,000. Contents were valued at $400,000 with losses at approximately $150,000.
The cause of the fire was determined to be an electrical fire relating to heat tape.
