A home in the Selmaville area was heavily damaged in a Wednesday morning fire that is believed to be electrical or related to a space heater.
Salem Assistant Fire Chief Bill Fulton says the fire was at the Jeremy Watson home at 2667 Watson Lane. The home was well involved in flames when firemen arrived.
Fulton said Watson had taken his child to the bus stop at the end of the road and when he began walking back, he saw smoke coming from the home. Another adult occupant, who was sleeping at the time, was able to get out the back door of the home. Firemen later rescued the family cat which had some scorched hair but was otherwise okay.
Fulton says the fire started in the area of a large space heater and he believes the fire was related to something getting on the heater or an electrical issue possibly tied to the heater.
Salem called Kell, Centralia District and Odin Firemen on mutual aid. They shuttled water from the U.S. 50 and Selmaville Road intersection to the fire scene. Kinmundy Alma Firemen stood by at the Salem Fire Station in the event of another fire.
The fire call came in at 8:14 Wednesday morning. Firemen were on the scene for about two hours.
The Red Cross was called to assist the family.
