February 9, 2008-Commercial Fire, Liberty Street

Salem Fire Department 1st alarm assignment responded to a call for a commercial fire at 250 Liberty St. SE at 11:55 am on Saturday, February 9, 2008.  A second alarm was dispatched at 11:59 am sending additional resources to this commercial property as 9-1-1 callers from an adjoining restaurant reported smelling smoke. 

First arriving firefighters reported that smoke was seen coming from the back, alley side of the building. Salem firefighters made entry into the building and found heavy smoke and flames in the basement and furnace room areas.  The fire was put out within 15 minutes of their arrival and contained to the basement of this building. Salem firefighters ventilated the building to remove the smoke and helped with the removal of water from the basement. 

A worker was using a cutting torch to dismantle an old, non-working furnace in the basement, according to Frank Cardoza, facilities supervisor for VIP's Industries, who owns the building. It was determined that a spark from the worker's cutting torch ignited nearby wooden mini-blinds.  The resulting fire from the mini-blinds caused the building's fire sprinklers to activate. 

Firefighters credit the building's fire sprinkler system with containing the fire to the basement area.  Damage to the building was limited to smoke and water damage in the basement.  Liberty Street was closed north of Trade Street for approximately an hour, but is now open.  No injuries were reported due to the fire.

Scene Photos

Click on the picture for a larger view