Lightning Strike Starts Salem House Fire

The fire was most probable cause by a lighting strike in that area.

Photo of daylight showing through the burned Salem house on Terrace Drive NW that fire officials believe was started by lightning. Photo: Lair Case / Salem Fire

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Fire crews responded to a house fire today at 1055 Terrace Drive NW. The 4:42 p.m. call reported smoke coming from the roof of the house.

Deputy Fire Marshal Laird Case with Salem Fire, says when firefighters arrived, they discovered the fire was burning in the attic and roof of a vacant house.

"Firefighters quickly gain access to the roof and attic area and extinguished the fire. The fire damage was limited to a portion of attic, roof, and second floor bedroom," Case said.

"The house owner, Mr. Joseph Abood had been in the process of moving out of the house, when he took a break to talk with his neighbor and observe the thunder and lighting storm moving through the area."

He says Mr. Abood then heard and felt a large boom near his house.

"He then went back into the house to watch the storm when he notices a smell of smoke. Mr. Abood then went back outside a saw smoke coming from the roof." Case says Mr. Abood called 9-1-1 at that point to report the fire.

Case says it was determined that the fire started in the northwest corner of the house's roof and attic area.

He also reports that based on statements from witnessesand an examination of the fire scene, it was determined the fire was most probable cause by a lighting strike in that area.