Neighbor Alerts Residents to Fire

Photo Courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM) - Homeowner Barbara Prythongyam was at home when a neighbor started knocking loudly on her front door. As she answered the front door and escaped outside, she heard the smoke alarms begining to go off in the home.

Salem Fire Department spokesman Bill Holmstrom says firefighters responded to 1395 46th Place SE after a report of smoke coming from the garage.

"First arriving firefighters reported heavy smoke coming from the front portion of the garage of a single-story home." He says firefighters quickly knocked down the fire and contained it to the garage.

Investigators say the loss to the contents of the garage is estimated at $4,000 and includes a motorcycle, an overstuffed chair, and some damage to a vehicle. An investigation determined that the fire was started by a cigarette ash in the overstuffed chair, where earlier in the morning a smoker had been sitting.

Salem Fire would like to remind smokers not to put ashtrays on the arms of sofas or chairs, always use a deep ashtray and soak ashes in water before disposing of them.