Businesses are Open Around Scene of Thursday's Commercial Fire

Local businesses affected by the fire were given the "all clear" to reopen for business.

Fire courtesy: Bill Holmstrom / Salem Fire

(SALEM) - Parking and sidewalk access has been restored to all businesses in the vicinity of Commercial Street and State Street in downtown Salem, following Thursday's 4-alarm fire at McMahan's Furniture.

Salem Public Works advises that all businesses in the area of the fire are safe and can now be open, and Salem area residents are encouraged to visit and shop downtown today and this weekend.

Salem Fire Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says fire teams will remain on scene throughout Friday. He says there is still smoke coming from the structure. "This is caused by hot spots where it is hard to reach by firefighters from the exterior of the building."

Holmstrom says fire investigators returned to the scene today. Due to concerns of structural stability, the building continues to be unsafe for firefighters or investigators to enter. The area will be fenced off by Salem Public Works.