Discarded ashes from a wood stove caused a house fire in southwest Bend Wednesday night. According to Bend Fire & Rescue, shortly before 8:30pm, the occupants of the home were alerted of the fire by their neighbors and after 911 was called, they proceeded to extinguish the fire.
Bend Fire & Rescue crews responded to the fire and continued with suppression efforts and thoroughly checking the two story home for fire extension into the interior and attic spaces. The fire was mostly contained to the exterior of the structure with extension to the siding and roof eves. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental in nature and started by hot ashes placed in a plastic trash can near the exterior of the house that morning. The occupant had cleaned the wood stove of ashes, that appeared to be extinguished, the morning of the fire and placed them in the nearby trash can. The fire caused approximately $25,000 in damages to the structure and there was one minor injury during the incident.
Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind everyone of the proper way to dispose of hot ashes from wood burning appliances. Always assume that ashes are hot, even after several days there can be ashes that are hot enough to ignite combustibles. It is recommended that ashes removed from a wood burning appliance be placed in a non-combustible metal container, with a metal lid and removed to outside of the structure well away from combustible materials. The ashes can be wetted down but should be stored in a metal container for several days until completely cool before disposal.
