UPDATE: 11/14/2009

11/14/2009 - Bend

by Matt McDonald

A business near downtown Bend is consumed by flames. Permanent Makeup by Susan caught fire early Saturday morning, the Bend Fire Department arriving just after four thirty Saturday morning to find the business fully engulfed in flames. They were able to contain the fire to the one business on NW Wall Street just north of downtown Bend. Owners, Susan and Gary Gruber spent Saturday morning sorting through the debris.

"She spent fifteen years building this business up, it's devastating for her. She knows it's just stuff, nobody got hurt, so as far as we're concerned, we've got insurance. We'll be alright," said Gary Gruber, one of the business owners.

The fire was caused by a problem in the electrical wiring that powered a neon sign. The loss, including the contents of the building, is estimated at one hundred seventy five thousand dollars.

11/14/2009 - Bend

The Bend Fire Department responded to a predawn commercial structure fire on Wall Street this morning. We found the front window of Permanent makeup by Susan broken out by fire and the business well involved with flames. The fire did not extend beyond the business of origin. We extinguished the fire, checked for extension, overhauled, and the process of fire cause determination is now under way.

UPDATED INFORMATION: After investigation, it appears the fire originated from electrical wiring used to power neon signs in the businesses front windows. Bend Fire Department reminds everyone to follow the manufactures suggestions for duration of continuous operation of any electrical appliance. Many devices need some time to cool down. This allows for a longer life of the appliance as well as safer operations.