Investigators Say 5-Year Old Started Apartment Fire

Investigators say the boy was playing with a candle. Damage was extimated at $80k but nobody was injured.

Photo courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM) - Clark David and his wife Jennifer were sound asleep when they were awakened by their smoke detector going off. Jennifer David went to see if the candle they left lit had set the smoke detector off, when she discovered the fire in her boy's bedroom.

Clark David stated that he saw the fire in the top bunk bed when he entered his son's bedroom. He attempted to extinguish the fire, but the fire was too big. The entire family did escape without injury. Including all of the children who are 16, 14, 5, and 3-years of age.

Salem Fire received the call for an apartment fire at 3672 Beverly Ave. NE at 12:34 AM on Monday. The first alarm sent 3 Engines, 1 Ladder Truck, and a Battalion Chief. Fire Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says the first arriving firefighters reported flames shooting from the bottom window of the two-story multi-family building.

A second alarm was dispatched at 12:39 AM, bringing more fire apparatus and fire fighters to the scene.

Fire quickly spread from the downstairs bedroom up throughout the rest of the home according to Holmstrom. "Firefighters were able to stop the fire before it spread to adjoining units," he added

It was determined the fire was started by a young boy playing with the fire from the candle. Damage was estimated to be over $80,000.

The Red Cross was notified to assist the family. Salem Fire Department will be working with the family on fire safety education, to help prevent this from ever occurring again.