The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

A nighttime blaze caused significant damage to an unoccupied home at Black Butte Ranch last Friday.

Firefighters with the Black Butte Ranch Fire District responded to a report of a structure fire Friday, February 26, in the Glaze Meadow area of Black Butte Ranch. The fire was reported at 9:07 p.m.

The home was in the final stages of a major addition, and no one was occupying the home at the time of the fire.

The fire was called in by a neighbor who heard loud popping from the house next door, and saw the large fire from his window. Firefighters arrived within 10 minutes of being notified to find a large volume of fire from the three-car garage and adjacent living space directly above.

Twenty-six firefighters and four engines responded to the fire, including firefighters from Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District and Cloverdale Fire District. Additional support was provided by Central Electric Co-Op Inc., Black Butte Ranch Maintenance, Black Butte Ranch Utilities, and by Bend Fire Department, who provided move-up coverage to the greater Sisters area with an engine and a medic unit.

The cause of the fire is not believed to be intentional, but remains under investigation at this time. Black Butte Ranch staff is being assisted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal to determine the cause.

“I am very proud of the efforts and teamwork of all three fire agencies to stop the progression of a well-seated fire in difficult winter conditions,” said Black Butte Ranch Fire District Deputy Fire Chief Dave Phillips. “Getting sustained water flow onto the fire quickly helped to slow the progress of the fire into the living areas and bought time for additional firefighters to arrive on the scene and assist with extinguishment and overhaul.”

The initial damage estimate is $900,000.

There was one minor injury reported. The home is not inhabitable after the fire.