Roof Fire Evacuates Salem Pancake House

Photo Courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM) - A fire at the Original House of Pancakes in NE Salem was discovered by a cook Thursday morning who was outside on a break.

The man told investigators that he acted quickly, "I saw flames on the roof, but didn't know where they were coming from." Holmstrom says the man ran inside and had everyone evacuate, while another employee called 9-1-1.

Holmstrom says the first firefighters on scene discovered the restaurant filling with smoke that was coming from underneath the eves. "Firefighters quickly established that the fire was contained to the fireplace and chimney. They used a thermal imaging camera to verify that the fire had not spread into the attic or walls."

Approximately 25 customers and 5 employees were evacuated while firefighters evacuated the smoke from the buliding. The business was closed for approximately 45-minutes and a southbound lane of Portland Road was closed due to fire apparatus.

Investigators say the fire caused an estimated $1,000 worth of damage to the business.