Fire Explodes Through Salem Home Killing Occupant

"They were greeted by a wall of fire and temperatures way over 1,000 degrees." - Salem Fire Spokesman Bill Holmstrom

Photo courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem firefighters were called out to a report of an explosion early this morning at 3:17 AM, at 2200 Lancaster Drive SE in Salem. Deputy Fire Marshal Jeff Mack says that when firefighters arrived on scene, the structure was fully involved with fire coming out of the majority of the structure.

"Neighbors stated to firefighters that they heard and explosion and noticed the structure was on fire."

He says firefighters discovered an occupant who was seriously injured and was transported to Salem Hospital. Firefighters went into attack mode. That person has since died from injuries suffered during the explosion and fire according to Mack

"They were greeted by a wall of fire and temperatures way over 1,000 degrees." He says it took firefighters approximately 45-minutes to have the fire under control. The structure is a total loss as well as damage to the occupant's vehicle.

The loss is estimated at $70,000. A Salem fire investigator is on scene at the time of the release.

Salem fire investigator determined the fire to be incendiary, caused by a human being, in nature. The occupant appears to have involvement in the fire's origin.

At this time it does not appear that other persons may be involved with this incident and no information is available that indicates this. The occupant who sustained injuries at the fire scene was overcome by his injuries after being transported to Salem Hospital.