Pendleton firefighters battle a house fire that totally consumed a home on N.E. Lindell Lane early Saturday morning in Pendleton. Firefighters from Pendleton Fire, Tribal Fire and Pilot Rock Fire departments responded to fight the blaze.<BR><I>Staff photo by E.J. Harris</i>

Bill and Sandra Lindell were asleep in their bed Friday night when they awoke to the sound of breaking glass. Their attached pool house was on fire, and as smoke poured into the main dwelling, the Lindells escaped.

Once outside, they watched as their home, which they began building in 1972, burned to the ground.

“They got out with what they were wearing – that was it,” said Pendleton Fire Marshal Tyler Nokes.

The Pendleton Fire Department arrived at the home, at 2306 N. E. Lindell Lane north of Pendleton, at about 12:22 a.m. The pool house was fully engulfed, Nokes said, and flames had reached half of the main house. The fire was so hot that about a dozen cars from the Lindell’s nearby business, Lindell’s Auto Salvage and towing, burst into flames.

The Tribal Fire Department and the Pilot Rock Fire Department responded to assist withe the fire. It was out by 3 a.m., but the house was a total loss.

Both Nokes and the Lindell’s son, David, said they had no idea what started the fire.

The Lindells were able to salvage their motor home, which was parked next to the house so they could pack for a trip.

“It’s very upsetting,” David Lindell said. “There are a lot of things we need to do.”