Tree Fire at Salem School Quickly Extinguished by Firefighters

A neighbor told Salem-News.com that the base of this particular tree is a popular hangout for neighborhood juveniles during the hot summer months to congregate, and smoke cigarettes.

A over 50 foot evergreen tree on the backside of a SE Salem elementary school was quickly put out by Marion County Fire District No.1 firefighters Wednesday evening. Photo Courtesy: MCFD #1

(SALEM, Ore. ) - A over 50 foot evergreen tree on the backside of a SE Salem elementary school was quickly put out by Marion County Fire District No.1 firefighters Wednesday evening.

Salem-News.com was on scene as firefighters put out the blaze behind Four Corners Elementary School on Elma Ave SE, before it could spread and cause any further damage.

A neighbor told Salem-News.com that at 5:00 p.m. she saw the tree and it was fine, and then at 5:15 p.m. she heard the fire trucks sirens, and saw that firefighters were on scene getting ready to put the fire out.

The neighbor added that the base of this particular tree is a popular hangout for neighborhood juveniles during the hot summer months to congregate, and smoke cigarettes. Other neighbors told firefighters on scene that they heard "popping" noises, but fire officials think that might have been from the tree as the fire was spreading up it.

Marion County Fire Investigators have not yet said what caused the fire.

Video from the scene from Salem-News.com's Jerry Freeman: