08/27/08 Bend
By Allison Martin
 
Gasoline vapors and a pilot light are said to have sparked a small explosion in Southeast Bend. The explosion left a lot of neighbors shaken up Wednesday morning. "Our car shook and our blinds like flew off the window and it felt like the house shook too, I thought a car hit our house or something," said Brittany Shank who was in the home as the explosion happened.
 
But when the Shank family walked outside their home on Mel Court in Southeast Bend they saw flames. "Once we saw the flames I was trying to help out my dad and like in any way I could," said Brittany.
 
The explosion was powerful enough to blow the garage door off its track. Firefighters believe gasoline vapors were ignited by a pilot light from a natural gas appliance in the garage, then the smoke spread. "There was no fire inside the house there was some smoke damage throughout the house and the attic," said Will Atkins with the Bend Fire Department.
 
Before firefighters arrived tenant Justin Shank used a garden hose, and next door neighbor Duane Wolfe wasted no time. "Grabbed a fire extinguisher and ran like crazy," said Wolfe, "I couldn't find Justin until he squirted me in the face with the hose when I tucked my head in the garage door and then I knew he was okay." Everybody is okay, including family pets abby and buddy. But Brittany Shank got quite a scare when abby ran into the smoke filled house. "the smoke was so bad and I couldn't go inside because I couldn't see so I was freaking out and I thought Abby was going to pass out in there from the smoke," she said.
 
The Shank family now has to pick up the pieces. Property damage is estimated at 30 thousand dollars. Including the damage done to the family's most prized possessions-- the ATV's they ride every weekend. "This is their passion so it's really sad to see this happen to them," said Wolfe.
 
But they know it could have been worse. "If my dad wasn't here the house probably could have caught on fire," said Brittany.
 
For the Shank family, this accident couldn't have come at a worse time. Father Justin Shank is waiting to start a new job, and money is tight. The family is accepting any donations to help with their loss at their Washington Mutual account under Justin's name. They say bike part for thier damaged ATV's would also be appreciated.
 
The Bend Fire Department says an open gas can was left near the appliance. They want to remind people that gasoline should only be stored in approved containers with the lids and vent caps securely closed.