Smoldering cigarette ignites Salem house fire

Smoldering cigarette ignites Salem house fire

In this photo released by the Salem Fire Department, an unidentified fire official looks at damage caused by a Friday night fire at a Salem townhouse.

Tools

By KATU Web Staff

SALEM, Ore. - A cigarette left smoldering on the back patio of a Salem townhouse started a two-alarm fire Friday night that caused an estimated $75,000 damage, fire officials said.

It happened at a home at 6467 Fairway Ave. S.E. about 9 p.m., according to Bill Holmstrom, a Salem fire spokesman.

When firefighters arrived, flames were shooting about 20 feet in the air above the back of the two-story townhouse, he said.

It took crews about 20 minutes to control the blaze, which spread into the attic, Holmstrom said. No one was hurt.

The resident told investigators a friend had been smoking on the back patio, where the fire originated, he said.

The man was renting the townhome and did not have renter's insurance. He planned to stay with friends until the home could be repaired, Holmstrom said.

Weather & Traffic

Icon
Current Temp 80.0 °F
Partly Cloudy
More Weather

Resources and info you need to prepare for the switch to DTV.

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Viewer Poll

How has Facebook changed your life?

  • I got a job through Facebook
  • I hooked up with old college/high school friends
  • It's how our family keeps in touch / updated
  • I learned odd new things about my friends
  • It's helped my business
  • I'm still on the fence about using it

Marketplace