Man Escapes Early Morning House Fire in Salem

Photo Courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM) - William Main was awakened early Friday morning to the smell of smoke, and fire investigators say he was lucky to escape his burning residence alive.

He later told firefighters that he tried to go out of the bedroom door of his residence at 4704 Niles Avenue NE when he was pushed back by thick black smoke, forcing him to jump out his bedroom window.

Investigators say the residence did not have working smoke detector. William Main told firefighters that he had removed the batteries from his smoke detector so it would not go off while he was cooking.

Salem Fire received the call for a structure fire at 4:02 AM Friday. The first crews on the scene reported smoke coming from the front portion of the residence. Fire crews broke open a sliding glass door to discover the living room was engulfed in flames.

Fire Department Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says it took firefighters about ten minutes to knock down the fire and bring it under control, before it could spread to any other portion of the residence.

Salem Fire Investigators say that a burning candle that was used improperly started the fire. Main stated that he left a candle burning on the living room floor when he went to bed. The candle ignited a nearby couch and love seat.

No injuries were reported do to the fire, but damage was estimated at $25,000. The American Red Cross was notified to assist William Main who is the only occupant.

Salem Fire officials say you should never leave a room with a candle burning. Always make sure the candle is in a proper holder.

They also say that having a working smoke detector increases your chance of survival from a house fire by 50%. Never pull the battery from your smoke detector. If they go off when cooking that means they could need to be relocated. Salem Fire Department offers free smoke detectors to City of Salem residences, and information about good installation locations.