Bend, OR. — Bend Fire & Rescue responded to Miller Elementary School around 9 p.m. Sunday after a fire alarm activated inside the building. Fire crews traced the alarm to the gymnasium area, where the school’s fire sprinkler system had deployed in response to a fire inside the custodians’ workshop located off the gym.
Additional units were dispatched to assist, and crews remained on scene for about an hour to remove smoke and water from the gym. School district maintenance staff and the principal supported the response. According to Bend Fire & Rescue, sprinkler activation kept the fire from spreading beyond the workshop, though smoke and water reached the surrounding gym area.
Investigators determined the fire was caused by a lithium battery stored inside a cabinet in the workshop. The battery failed and ignited within the cabinet, eventually burning through the doors and into the room. Once temperatures rose, the sprinkler system activated and stopped further spread. The department noted that all Bend public schools, including older campuses, are equipped with sprinkler systems to prevent catastrophic building damage.
Damage at Miller Elementary is considered repairable and is expected to disrupt school operations only briefly. Bend-La Pine Schools will determine any delays or cancellations needed to ensure a safe return for students.
Bend Fire & Rescue issued reminders about the hazards associated with lithium batteries, emphasizing that damaged or improperly used batteries can catch fire or explode, sometimes days after an incident. They shared safety guidance from the National Fire Protection Association, including using only manufacturer-approved batteries and chargers, avoiding charging devices on beds or couches, keeping batteries at room temperature, and storing them away from combustible materials in non-combustible cabinets or purpose-built containers.
The department also urged residents not to dispose of lithium batteries in household trash. Batteries that enter landfills can be damaged during handling and potentially start fires, posing significant risks to solid waste facilities. Many electronics retailers, landfill programs, and trash service providers offer safe recycling options.
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