One Resident Hurt in Explosion as Fires Damage Salem Area Homes

Marion County Fire District responds to two fires, 3 minutes apart.

Photos courtesy: Paula Smith/Marion County Fire

(SALEM, Ore.) - Marion County firefighters responded to two fires today with only three minutes between the calls. The first call involved an explosion in a residence that was blamed on an aerosol can being thrown accidentally in a fireplace, while the second fire broke out in an unoccupied travel trailer.

Marion County Fire Marshal Paula Smith says crews responded to the first call at 3786 Auburn Road NE in Salem on a report of an explosion in a fireplace.

"An occupant of the townhouse had discarded a small garbage bag into the burning fire place; she was unaware there was an aerosol can in the bag."

Smith says the two adults and five children were in the home at the time of the explosion which sent burning debris onto Greg Young and Kati Crockett causing minor burns to Kati's arm and Greg's hand.

"The occupant, Greg Young, used his garden hose from outside and extinguished spot fires on furniture and clothing. When crews arrived the fires had been extinguished."

Fire crews removed the furniture that had burned and cleaned out the fireplace of any remaining debris, Smith said. It was surely nothing less than a jarring experience for the people inside the home.

"The explosion propelled Greg Young three feet from in front of the fireplace and blew the sliding glass door off of its track. Sheetrock nails of an upstairs room had been blown out about an inch. The Paramedics treated the involved on scene for minor injuries."

The occupants did have a working smoke alarm. Smith says an important reminder for residents is to not to burn trash in a wood stove or fireplace and never throw any aerosol cans into a fire of any kind. The estimated loss in the fire was $3,000.

The second call just minutes later sent fire crews from Marion County scrambling to an RV Trailer Fire at 2868 Tide Court in Salem. That call came in at 10:30 AM.

Smith says fire crews arrived to find a fifteen foot camp trailer fully involved in fire.

"The trailer fire threatened a boat and a Modular home in close proximity which was quickly extinguished by firefighters resulting in only radiant heat damage to those properties."

A neighbor reported seeing smoke and flames coming from the travel trailer and made the call to 911, Smith said. The owner, Mike Wilder, was not home at the time of the fire.

The fire was extinguished by firefighters and is currently under investigation. The estimated Loss from this fire is $2000.