Elderly couple dies in Salem fire
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SALEM, Ore. – An elderly couple died in a mobile home fire in Salem Friday night.
It happened in the Arrow Head Mobile Home Park in the 5400 block of Portland Road NE at around 7 p.m.
Neighbor Rick Beal said he tried to get inside the house to help the couple after he heard them yelling.
"I was home and the first thing that I noticed was the gal next door on this side and they were yelling and I looked out the kitchen and I saw them yelling," Beal said. "I came around the side to see if they got out and the windows started popping out and the smoke really started coming up, and then I thought I better not try for it."
Multiple 9-1-1 callers reported seeing large flames above the roof of the home.
When fire crews arrived, they found the home fully engulfed in flames and evacuated neighboring homes.
It’s unclear what caused the fire.
Firefighters said they could not enter the home until they put out the fire. When they went inside, they found the couple dead inside the home. The state medical examiner said they appear to have died of smoke inhalation.
Their names have not been released.
Neighbors have been placing flowers in front of the home. They said the couple had lived at the home for about 10 years.
"What can I say? We're going to miss the heck out of them," said neighbor Melanie Benet.
Firefighters told neighbors they may never know what caused the fire because it burned so hot.
One firefighter was injured while fighting the fire, but did not need immediate medical attention.
What a horrible event. Saying sorry just doesn't seem to be enough.Â
What a horrible tragedy. Condolences to the family and friends. And I hope the neighbor who wanted to help but couldn't is ok - must have been terrible to not be able to help.
Very sad... I hope they didn't suffer for long... I can't even imagine how terrifying that would be... Â
May they rest in peace now... Condolences go to their families and friends...Â
We can speculate all we want as to why the fire started. I am just sorry that they died. Were they somehow incapacitated due to being handicapped. or was it hoarding? We'll never know. My condolences to the relatives.
 @jpk Their home was so huge and palatial, they couldn't find the exit.
@correct  Unnecessary.
 @jasmin10 He's flagged. That was just uncalled for.Â
 @jpk Yes, we can only speculate, but we know the answer and Saint Peter will accept that. Good Lord, as a sheriff I was also a Deputy Medical Examiner and you have no idea how many times I signed off...
Like you, I was a DME for many years and saw many deaths. Believe me, no two were ever alike. And I can relate to almost each one as to conditions and my recollection of them.
This is just a sad tragedy. I wonder what the cause of the blaze was? At least they got to the Pearly Gates together at the same time, but still, very sad event.
Listened to this on my phone last night. Was right around the corner from my house, about 1/4 a mile away. They were worried initially if they were inside, but neighbors said the car was gone out of the driveway, and it was fully engulfed by the time the first unit was on scene. I had a feeling.....
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They also described several explosions at one point, which I assume were oxygen tanks, it was an elderly couple that lived there.
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Very sad =[
So sad :( RIP.