BEND, OR -- Bend Fire and Rescue says a weekend food cart fire shows why stricter rules are needed. Fire heavily damaged the Bigfoot BBQ truck at The Podski, Saturday afternoon. Crews responded to the food cart lot on NW Arizona Ave. just after 2 p.m. They removed metal siding and quickly extinguished the fire, which started behind the cart's cooktop. Damage is estimated at $8,000.

Investigators say it was caused by grease accumulation on an electrical box and insulation. The area was exposed to high heat because the backsplash behind the cooktop had a cutout for a covered electrical outlet.

New fire codes being phased in over the next three years require food carts to have kitchen exhaust hoods and fire protection just like brick-and-mortar restaurants.