Fire consumes Crossroads garage

A Saturday evening fire caused major damage to a detached garage and contents while scorching a nearby home in Crossroads. The fire was at the residence of Eric and Pamela Kipper at 14819 Bluegrass Loop.

The alarm came at 6:46 p.m. on March 4, when several members of the family all spotted the fire at the same time, according to Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Marshal Dave Wheeler.

“Before we arrived at the fire, there were at least a dozen other calls to 911 from neighbors,” he said.

Crews arrived at the scene at 6:55 p.m. and had the fire knocked down by 7:23 p.m., Wheeler said. Seventeen firefighters responded to the fire. Most returned to the station at 9 p.m. with two firefighters and an engine remaining at the scene until the following morning.

Investigation by Wheeler and Dave Fields of the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office in Prineville determined that the fire started from materials placed too close to a baseboard heater in a bedroom at the back of the garage.

“Remains of a suitcase and a dog kennel were found by the heater and that led to the fire,” Wheeler explained.

Damage and loss of contents was estimated at between $25,000 and $30,000, but that estimate may increase following a complete inventory of contents. Vehicles in the garage were safely removed, but other items including a computer, television, tools and many personal items were lost.

No injuries were reported to family members or firefighters.

The family was unable to extinguish the fire with a home fire extinguisher.

“The fire quickly flamed out the door and then through the roof,” Eric Kipper said.

The fire torched one large pine tree adjacent to the garage and heat scorched a covering on a fifth-wheel trailer parked nearby.

Strong southeast winds and quick action by firefighters helped prevent the spread of the fire to the nearby house.

“If we had been just a few minutes later, I believe we would have lost the house as well,” Wheeler said.