MADRAS, Ore. -- A Madras man was frying bacon on the stove Thursday morning when he went to his computer – and the next thing he knew, a fire had begun that caused $35,000 damage.

The Oregon Mountain River Chapter of the American Red Cross stepped in to provide food and lodging to the victim of the fire, which broke out around 8:40 a.m. at a duplex on Northeast Nordic Drive.

Jefferson County Rural Fire District Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal Tom Jaca said what initially was called out as a grease fire had flames shooting through the roof by the time two engines and seven firefighters arrived.

“He was frying bacon on the stove, and he walked away to work on his computer for a short time,” Jaca said. “He forgot about the bacon cooking until he walked in and noted flames coming out of the fry pan.”

The man quickly put a lid on the pan, to snuff the cooking fire – and it worked – but by then, the flames already had reached the kitchen hood and cupboard, the fire official said.

The resident called 911 and fled, also knocking on his neighbors’ door to make sure they got out safely.

There were no injuries, but the fire caused $23,000 damage to the duplex and $12,000 to contents. Jaca said.

Fire crews had to cause “considerable damage” to the roof and attic area, to make sure the fire was out, Jaca said, while the living space sustained water damage.