No Injuries from Early Morning Tavern Fire in Salem

A janitor spotted smoke early and saved the business from more damage.

Photo courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Big Shots Tavern at 3755 Portland Road NE in Salem was the scene of a commercial fire early Saturday morning. The business's janitor noticed smoke inside business and immediately called 9-1-1.

Firefighters arriving on the scene reported flames coming from the roof of the business. A second alarm was called at 4:18 AM, bringing more fire fighters and apparatus to the scene, according to Salem Fire Department Spokesman Bill Holmstrom.

"When firefighters entered the structure they discovered smoke inside the structure and water flowing from the fire sprinkler system. There were no visible flames inside the structure, although the flames on the roof were increasing."

He says firefighters used ladders to gain access to the roof and were able to extinguish the flames before it entered the structure.

"Firefighters credit the fire sprinkler system in holding the fire in check so they were able to extinguish it quickly," Holmstrom added.

"Only one sprinkler head was activated, which helped stop the spread of the fire to the rest of the business. Without the system the fire would have been much more involved when firefighters arrived."

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The loss is estimated at $40,000 ($20,000 Structure & $20,000 Contents). There were no injuries reported.

Investigators say the cause of the fire was accidental and it was determined that an electrical malfunction of a neon light that was located on the roof.