Lightning strike sparks house fire

The lightning storm that roared through Sisters Country Sunday night sparked numerous small fires in the woods surrounding Sisters - and one right downtown.

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District was dispatched to a lightning-caused structure fire at a residence on the 500 block of South Pine Street at 8:09 p.m. on Sunday, August 5. Automatic mutual-aid assistance from the Black Butte Ranch and Cloverdale Fire Districts was also dispatched to the fire.

The two-story home had taken a direct hit from a bolt of lightning. Smoke and flame were visible in the area of the roof. The homeowner had evacuated his family and was using a garden hose to help suppress the fire that was burning on the exterior of the home prior to fire department arrival. Through the coordinated efforts of the responding fire departments, the fire was kept confined to the area of origin.

The homeowner's quick action to call 9-1-1 saved the home from more extensive damage, deputy fire chief Jeremy Ast reported.

The home's smoke detectors were in proper working order; however the children of the household noticed the fire before they activated.

"The quick action of the children to notify their parents by yelling 'Fire!' as they escaped the home serves as an important reminder of the importance of practicing fire escape drills in your home," Ast said. "The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District urges all people to have a home fire escape plan and to practice it regularly. For more information on home fire escape planning, or to arrange for the installation of free smoke detectors in your home, please contact the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District for more information."

The fire department can be reached at 541-549-0771.

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Sisters Public Works and Central Electric Cooperative also provided assistance at the scene.