Retirement Home Residents Evacuated During Salem FIre

At one point Cherriots buses were called in to place some of the patients during the time it took firefighters to fight the fire.

Residents outside the facility while firefighters brought the fire under control. Photo courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM, Ore.) - 88 elderly patients were evacuated from a retirement facility last night at 7:35 PM as Salem Fire Department crews arrived at 4050 12th Street SE, where an alarm was sounding at Redwood Heights Retirement.

Bill Holmstrom with Salem Fire, says that upon arrival, firefighters discovered smoke throughout the building.

"A full alarm was called at 7:39 PM, firefighters started to evacuate 88 patients from the facility, while also searching for the base of the fire," Holmstrom said.

A second alarm was called at 7:43 PM and a third at 8:09 PM, bringing more firefighters and equipment to the scene to assist in the evacuation of the patients and to help suppress the fire.

Holmstrom says Cherriots buses were called in to place some of the patients during the time it took firefighters to fight the fire.

"Firefighters discovered the fire in the 1st floor laundry, where they were able to contain and suppress the fire."

Holmstrom says it was determined by investigators that the fire was started by malfunction of the dryer. Damage was estimated to be over $10,000.