Garage Fire Linked to Electric Vehicle Battery on Bend’s Westside
Lithium-ion battery failure displaces residents on Christmas Eve
BEND, Ore. — A Christmas Eve garage fire on Bend’s west side was traced to a failed lithium-ion battery in an electric vehicle, according to Bend Fire & Rescue.
Fire crews were dispatched just before 2 p.m. on December 24 to a home in the NW Terra Meadow Drive area after occupants and neighbors reported flames coming from a garage. Crews arrived quickly and were able to contain and extinguish the fire before it spread into the main living area of the home.
The fire originated from a passenger vehicle that had been converted from gas to electric. Investigators determined the vehicle’s lithium battery failed and ignited, spreading fire to items stored in the garage. Due to the potential presence of toxic lithium-ion byproducts in the smoke, nearby residents were asked to shelter in place during the response.
Two adults and three dogs living in the home were able to safely evacuate before firefighters arrived. While the fire remained largely contained to the garage, the home has been deemed uninhabitable due primarily to damage to utility systems that run through the garage. Officials noted that minimal smoke damage occurred inside the home, and many personal belongings — including the family’s Christmas presents — were saved.
Fire officials credited modern construction standards for helping limit the damage. Attached garages are typically built with additional fire barriers, including reinforced drywall and heavier fire-rated doors, designed to slow the spread of fire into living spaces.
Smoke alarms did activate during the incident, though not immediately, as smoke remained in the garage until the interior door was opened.
Safety Guidance for Electric Vehicle Charging
Bend Fire & Rescue urges residents to immediately stop charging any electric vehicle, bike, scooter, or device if charging equipment or vehicle components are not operating as expected, and to have the system inspected by a qualified professional.
The department also shared electric vehicle charging safety recommendations from the U.S. Fire Administration, including:
Follow all manufacturer charging instructions.
Use charging equipment certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
Plug Level I chargers directly into appropriate outlets — never use extension cords or multi-plug adapters.
Install residual current devices that can shut off power if a fault is detected.
Keep charging components out of reach of children.
Regularly inspect equipment for wear or damage.
Protect charging outlets from water unless the manufacturer confirms wet-condition use is safe.
Lithium Battery Disposal Reminder
Fire officials also emphasized that lithium batteries should never be placed in household trash. Damage during collection or landfill compaction can trigger fires, posing serious risks to waste facilities and workers. Items with built-in lithium batteries — such as flashlights, alarms, and small electronics — should be recycled through approved programs. Residents are encouraged to contact their waste provider, local landfill, or participating electronics retailers for proper disposal options.
Anyone with questions about fire prevention or lithium battery safety can contact Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki with Bend Fire & Rescue at 541-322-6386 or dderlacki@bendoregon.gov.
Cover image: Bend Fire
