A fire broke out Sunday afternoon at a food cart in Tumalo. No injuries reported but the food cart is a total loss. According to news release from Bend Fire & Rescue: At 3:11 pm on October 1, 2023, multiple callers reported a fire at one of the carts located in The Bite food cart lot, 19860 7th Street in Tumalo.
While enroute, a significant column of smoke was observed and the incident was upgraded to a structure fire response.
On arrival, a working fire was found at the Rogue Chef cart, with flames through the roof. The fire was quickly knocked down by Bend Fire & Rescue, but the cart is a total loss, with a replacement value estimated at approximately $100,000.
Upon investigation, it was found that the fire originated in the ductwork of the kitchen hood due to an accumulation of grease. While there was a kitchen hood suppression system in place, the fire originated above the level of the suppression system, rendering it ineffective in holding the fire in check.
Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind the public that many kitchen fires are preventable. Keep combustibles away from hot surfaces, clean surfaces regularly to prevent grease accumulation, and never pour water on a grease fire. Slide a lid onto the pan (a cookie sheet will work too) and turn off the heat. Leave the lid in place until the pan is cold. For more kitchen safety tips, visit our website at https://www.bendoregon.gov/
