A resident of a home at 617 West McMackin that caught fire early Friday night was arrested when he later returned to the scene and got into an altercation with Salem Police.
Steven Smith reportedly had gone inside the home when returning from the scene after being ordered not to since it was a crime scene. He then allegedly chest bumped a Police Officer, resulting in his arrest for aggravated battery to a police officer and resisting arrest.
Salem Fire Chief Jim Cerny says Smith originally called the Salem Firemen to report the blaze but then left as the firefighters were working to locate it.
“We had heavy smoke rolling out of the home, undetermined where it was coming from at the time. It turned out to be a fire in the basement. The cause is being investigated. The State Fire Marshall’s been called out to do the investigation.”
After leaving the fire scene, Salem Police say he went to the Police Station where he allegedly was screaming into the dispatch center from the lobby. Police say Smith later left and wasn’t seen again until he returned to the fire scene.
Police say Smith lived at the home with his father and owner of the home Stanley Smith who was away at the time the fire started.
Police say the investigation into the cause of the fire continues by their department and the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office.
