Faulty Stove Safety Switch Sparks $250,000 Fire at Bend Black Bear Diner

BEND, Ore. — A faulty stove safety switch sparked an early-morning fire at Black Bear Diner in Bend on Thursday, causing an estimated $250,000 in damage to the restaurant.

Bend Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched at 12:51 a.m. on Oct. 22 to reports of a structure fire at the diner, located at the corner of Third Street and NE Olney Avenue.

When firefighters arrived, they found flames shooting 15 to 20 feet above the roof. Crews quickly attacked the fire and extinguished it within minutes of arriving at the scene.

Investigators determined the fire started after a faulty safety switch on the stove failed to shut off the gas as intended. The flames spread from the stove into the wall behind it and then into the attic.

The fire caused extensive smoke and water damage throughout the restaurant. Damage to the building and its contents is estimated at approximately $250,000.

Fire officials credited the diner’s commercial kitchen hood suppression system with helping limit the structural damage. The system, designed to detect and extinguish fires involving grease, oil and open flames, activated successfully during the incident.

Bend Fire & Rescue inspectors had examined the suppression system just two weeks before the fire. Officials reminded businesses that are required to have these systems to ensure they receive annual inspections to verify they are operating properly.

The Bend Police Department also assisted at the scene. An on-duty officer first reported the fire after noticing flames coming from the diner’s roof. Officers forced entry into the building and confirmed it was unoccupied before helping incoming emergency crews manage traffic around the scene.

No injuries were reported in the information released by Bend Fire & Rescue.