On Sunday night, a fire broke out in a mobile home at the Rock Arbor Villa Mobile Home Park on Northeast Purcell Boulevard in Bend. The sole occupant was alerted by working smoke alarms, allowing her to exit the home safely before flames consumed the structure.

Rapid response prevents wider damage

Bend Fire & Rescue crews arrived at 8:58 p.m. to find the home fully engulfed, with flames licking the roof. Firefighters quickly knocked the fire down, containing it within minutes and stopping it from spreading to neighboring units.

Cause traced to faulty fireplace flue

Investigators determined the fire originated behind a wall where a fireplace flue had been improperly connected. Heat and flames entered the wall cavity, igniting the home when a fire was lit in the fireplace. The incident underscores the importance of having heating equipment inspected before seasonal use.

Impact and assistance

The blaze caused an estimated $50,000 in damage to the structure and its contents. The American Red Cross was called to provide the resident with temporary housing and emergency resources while repairs are arranged.

Safety reminders from officials

Bend Fire & Rescue officials urged all residents to test smoke alarms regularly and to have heating appliances, including stoves and furnaces, inspected by qualified professionals. Unserviced equipment can allow hot exhaust gases to enter walls through loose connections, while unused flues may accumulate debris, creosote, or ash that can ignite.

For more information on fire safety and proper maintenance of heating systems, residents can visit the city’s fire safety page at bendoregon.gov/alarm-info.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.