Cooking fire destroys Sisters home

Sisters residents Jeff and Gina kindle narrowly escaped their burning home Sunday afternoon when a pan being used to cook French fries ignited on the stove. The residents told fire department personnel that the pan caught on fire and then the cabinets caught on fire. Jeff and Gina were able to evacuate the home and run to the house across the street and call 911. The home was located at 703 S. Ash St. in Sisters.

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District received the call for a possible structure fire at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. First arriving fire units found a 1975 double-wide manufactured home fully involved with fire. Flames were extending to large pine trees and adjacent outbuildings. Firefighters quickly deployed hose lines to prevent the spread of fire to adjacent structures and extinguished the home. Twenty-one firefighters with Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District were assisted by Black Butte Ranch Fire District and Cloverdale Fire District. A total of 29 firefighters responded to the fire with five fire engines, three support units and two chief officers.

Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Fire Chief Roger Johnson said, "The fire completely engulfed the home in minutes, resulting in a total loss."

Johnson credits the quick response and assistance from Cloverdale and Black Butte Ranch Fire Districts.

"We had a very good response of career and volunteer firefighters, along with our automatic aid partners," He said.

The City of Sisters Public Works Department, Deschutes County Sheriffs Office, Black Butte Ranch Police, Red Cross and the Oregon Office of the State Fire Marshal also responded.

The cause of the fire was determined to be an accidental cooking fire. The home and contents were determined to be a total loss. Three dogs were also inside the home at the time of the fire and managed to escape.

Fire officials recommend when cooking with hot grease on a stove to constantly monitor the stove. Officials also recommend having a tight-fitting lid close by to cover the pan if it catches on fire.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family. If you would like to help the family and their three dogs get back on their feet with a financial donation you can visit: http://www.gofundme.com/owgns4