The Salem Fire & EMS Department responded to a residential structure fire around 10:35 a.m. Thursday morning at 1752 Morwanda St. The first units arrived within five minutes of receiving the 911 call, and firefighters initially found heavy fire and smoke coming from a single-story detached garage that was situated behind the residence, according to a news release from the city.
After an aggressive fire attack with handlines, the fire was limited to the exterior rear of the garage and part of the attic. It took firefighters about 20 minutes to contain and extinguish the fire.
The garage sustained about $30,000 in damage and four chickens that were in a pen near the fire’s origin were killed. The Salem Fire Marshal’s Office has ruled the fire accidental in nature and determined it was caused by a heating lamp that was positioned too close to combustibles.
Approximately 26 personnel from the Salem Fire & EMS Department and Roanoke City Fire-EMS Department (Truck 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Medic 802, Rescue 801, Fire Medic 1, Battalion 1, Fire Marshal 1, Fire Marshal 2, Training 1, Training 2, Roanoke City Battalion 2, Roanoke City Ladder 5, Roanoke City Engine 13) responded and assisted in extinguishing the fire.
-The Salem Times-Register
