Salem Police Investigating Three Deaths As Homicide

The cause of death of the victims and their identities has not been released.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Salem Police Department said today that they will be proceeding in the investigation of three deaths in a fire at 1375 Cross St SE as a homicide investigation.

The Salem Fire Department was dispatched to a fire alarm at ML Holmes General Contractor, 1375 Cross St SE, at 6:47 pm on Sunday, March 15.

Upon arriving at the scene, fire department personnel found the business was on fire and a second alarm was requested at 6:57 p.m. A third fire alarm was requested at 7:06 p.m., and at approximately 7:08 p.m. fire personnel located at least two deceased victims in the fire scene and requested the Salem Police respond.

Due to the fact that there was an active fire as well as a crime scene there was a delay in gaining access to the crime scene by police investigators.

Once officers entered the scene a third victim was also located and the scene was secured pending further investigation.

On the morning of March 16, Salem Police Detectives and Salem Fire Department investigators served a search warrant at the business in order to begin processing the scene for evidence.

Based on information obtained at the scene, the investigation is now being considered as a homicide investigation. The cause of death of the victims and their identities will not be released until the autopsies are completed.