Babysitter and Two Young Children Escape Kitchen Fire

Salem firefighter inspecting damage at 3305 Portland NE Photo Courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM) - A quick thinking babysitter evacuated two small children from their home Wednesday after a kitchen fire broke out just after 3:00 PM. Salem Fire Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says Rachel Dunlevy was babysitting two young children at 3305 Portland NE when she turned on the stove, and noticed that it started to spark.

She told firefighters that she turned off the burner and switched to another, then moments later she discovered flames coming from the back of the stove. That`s when she gathered the two boys, 2 and 6 years of age, and evacuated the building.

Salem Fire received the call at 3:05 PM. The first alarm sent 3 Engines, 1 Ladder Truck, and a Battalion Chief. The first units on the scene reported light smoke coming from the front portion of the structure.

Holmstrom says they entered the home and quickly extinguished the fire. Firefighters used thermal imaging cameras to assure that fire was not hidden in the walls behind the stove.

He says firefighters replaced the home`s smoke alarm, which was not working at the time of the fire.

No injuries were reported, and damaged was estimated at $500.

Investigators say the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction of the stove.

Holmstrom says that in every story like this, there is a safety message. `Having a working smoke detector increases your chance of survival from a structure fire by 50%. The Salem Fire Department offers free smoke detectors to any family who cannot afford one. Remember, it is very dangerous to continue using an electrical appliance that appears to be malfunctioning." He says that if you have a malfunctioning appliance, turn it off and disconnect the power to the appliance until a certified repair person can repair it.