A Salem woman received burns to one of her hands and smoke inhalation from a fire that trapped her in her home Saturday night until she was rescued by Salem Fire Protection District Firemen.
Darlena Cushman of 502 West McMackin discovered the fire that was centered near the front door in the living room couch and bookcase preventing her from exiting the residence. Without an operational back door, Cushman went into the bathroom where she called in the fire and reported that she was trapped inside.
Salem Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Bill Fulton says they were greeted by heavy smoke and flames in the front end of the home when they arrived. One fire hose was set up to knock down the flames so Cushman could be rescued and a second line to fight the rest of the fire.
After being removed from the home, Cushman was transported to Salem Township Hospital for treatment. She was later transferred to a burn center.
Fulton says the front half of the home sustained fire, smoke, and heat damage. The cause of the fire was not determined. A state deputy fire marshal will review the fire scene on Monday.
The fire was discovered a short time after Ameren had restored power to the block where the home was located after storms had knocked out power Friday night.
Salem firemen received mutual aid assistance from Odin Firemen on the scene, while Kell Firemen stood by at the Salem Fire Station in the event of another fire. The fire call first came in at 7:27 Saturday night. Firemen were on the scene for about two hours.
The visible outside damage to the home at McMackin and College that sustained considerable damage to the front half of the home early Saturday night.
