BEND, OR -- Oily rags are blamed for a house fire on Westridge Avenue in Bend, early Wednesday. Firefighters arrived at the three-story house just before 5 a.m., after neighbors reported the back of the house was on fire.

Crews stopped the main part of the fire within 30 minutes, but it took more than three hours to fully extinguish it in the attic. Firefighters from Alfalfa, Cloverdale and Sunriver arrived to assist. Redmond Fire covered some emergency medical calls in Bend. 

One Bend Fire & Rescue employee was injured in a fall inside the building, during the operation. They were treated and released for non-life-threatening injuries. 

Investigators say a contractor was staining the second floor and forgot to add water to a bucket of oily rags before leaving for the night. The fire caused about $1.5 million in damage to the $2 million home. According to Bend Fire, the homeowner's and contractor's insurance companies will work to rebuild the home. 

Photo courtesy of Bend Fire & Rescue