Fire Evacuates Salem Retirement Home

Nobody was injured during the ordeal as staff and firefighters evacuated over 200 people.

Photo Courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM) - Over 200 residents and their guest were evacuated from Lancaster Village Retirement at 4138 Market Street NE for approximately 1 hour Sunday while fire fighters contained and extinguished a fire that broke out in the facility's mechanical room.

Salem Fire Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says the first alarm came in at 12:27 PM sending 3 Engines, 1 Ladder Truck, and a Battalion Chief to the scene.

"The first arriving firefighters reported flames and smoke coming from the exterior front door of the mechanical room. A second and third alarm was called at 12:31 PM, bringing additional apparatus and fire fighters to the scene."

Fire crews along with Lancaster Village staff started to evacuate all occupants of the structure. The firefighters were able to contain the fire to the mechanical room.

The fire was determined to have been started by an electrical cord that overheated due to combustibles being placed on top of it. Over the years, the cord started to heat up and ignited the combustibles.

Damage estimates were not available at the time of this release. No injuries were reported due to the fire.

Holmstrom says safety has to come first, "Salem firefighters want to remind our community, placing anything on an electrical cord is very dangerous and has the extreme possibility of starting a fire."