Personnel from the Salem Fire & EMS Department, Roanoke Fire & EMS Department and Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department collectively extinguished a fire at the Salem Frame Company on August 1.

All firefighters are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment, which is a coat and pants made from multiple layers of unique fabrics to guard against heat.

Heavy flames were found outside of the building, which is in the 1900 block of Salem Industrial Drive, at approximately 1:30 p.m. Within seven minutes of a call being placed, firefighters throughout the Roanoke Valley were on the scene. When they arrived, they found smoke coming from the front of the building. All employees were evacuated prior to the arrival of the first unit. The blaze, according to a city spokesperson, was under control within 90 minutes.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire, however, several pieces of equipment and parts of the building sustained significant damage. The blaze, according to Salem officials, caused an estimated $500,000 in damages.

Ruled an accident, flames were prevented from spreading from the structure’s exterior into the building because of the quick action of the firefighters.

In years past, the Salem Fire & EMS Department has been called to the same facility for other equipment related issues.