The Salem Fire Protection District was called to two house fires on Wednesday. One was an electrical fire at the Martin Smith home at 5 Lakedale while the other was a stove fire at the Phillip Simmons home at 722 South Jefferson Street.
Salem Fire Chief Jim Cerny says they were called to the Smith home following electrical problems.
“We had smoke coming out of the attic and the homeowner said he experienced a problem with his plug in space heater. And as it turns out we did have an electrical issue that caused a fire in the attic.”
Cerny says the fire wasn’t apparent until Smith had stepped outside and saw smoke coming out the eves.
“Not a lot of extensive damage, but damage to the roof on the inside and rafters and ceiling where it burned.”
Cerny says they had to pull down the dining room ceiling to get to the fire and put out the fire in the blown in insulation. He reports there was considerable damage to the electrical system. Cerny says smoke damage to the rest of the home was minor.
Odin Firemen were called on automatic mutual aid while Kell Firemen stood by at the Salem Fire Station in the event of another fire.
The second fire at the Simmons home on South Jefferson was confined to the oven after food caught fire. Firemen were able to put it out with an extinguisher before it could spread from the oven. Smoke was removed from the home, but there was no lasting smoke damage. The home is owned by Rob Marsh. Firemen received the call at 7:20 Wednesday night and were on the scene about a half hour.
