Electrical Short Causes House Fire

Captain Shawn Barnes investigating the burn area Photo courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM) - Rentov Sergi was not at his residence at 2629 Gilbert Street S. when his house caught fire Tuesday. Salem Fire Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says fire was spreading up the exterior wall when a neighbor saw it and called 9-1-1.

Salem Fire received the call for a structure fire at 3:34 PM Tuesday. The first firefighters in reported flames crawling up the outside wall of this single-family dwelling.

The fire involved the gas meter, and they say they could see that the meter or a pipe to the meter was leaking gas. Firefighters had the fire under control within 5 minutes of their arrival. Crews were able to extinguish the fire before it could enter into the structure.

No injuries were reported due to the fire. The cause of the fire appears to be an electrical short to a sump pump that ignited available combustibles. Holmstrom says damage was estimated to be at $2,000.