Salem Firefighters Battle Commercial Fire

Photo Courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM) - A fire in a Salem food wharehouse compressor room led to big damage just after 3:00 PM on Thursday afternoon, at 3371 Portland Road NE. As the fire grew, it activiated the fire alarm system at the business, Ventura Foods.

The manager told firefighters that he discovered a fire growing very rapidly in their compressor room. He says he attempted to put the flames out with a portable fire extinguisher, but the fire was way too large at that point.

The Salem Fire Department received the commercial fire call at 3:12 PM. Holmstrom says the first crews on the scene reported smoke pouring from the front portion of the structure.

A second alarm was called at 3:20 PM, sending additional apparatus and firefighters to the scene. Holmstrom says more teams entered the structure and battled the fire.

"Their actions kept the fire confined to the compressor room saving the building and contents from the fire. Although, the toxic smoke traveled through a large portion of the warehouse causing thousands of dollars of damage to the contents."

The company produces margarine and edible cooking oils.

No injuries were reported from the fire and investigators placed the damage mark around $150,000.

They say the fire was caused by a malfunction of the compressor.