Thursday evening fire burns Southeast Salem home, displacing 3 residents and pets
Three people and six pets were displaced after a fire destroyed a southeast Salem home Thursday evening.
Firefighters arrived at 6:46 p.m. on Thursday to find about half of the home engulfed in flames, according to a post from the Salem Fire Department. An attached video shows several firefighters blasting water from a hose into the roaring flames.
The fire was at 7745 Sunnyside Rd. S.E., just beyond the intersection at Southeast Delaney Road, according to PulsePoint, a service that shares emergency alerts based on 911 calls.
Fire department spokesman Brian Carrara said the home may be a total loss, with the front of the property badly burned along with parts of the interior and roof.
Carrara said the agency has not yet determined what caused the fire.
“Due to heavy fire and structural concerns, crews initially operated in defensive mode, later transitioning to an offensive approach once it was safe to do so,” the department’s post said.
The response required 16 vehicles, including fire engines, a ladder truck, air support and water tenders, which are vehicles that transport water. There are no hydrants that far south in Salem, and two of four water tenders came with help from other agencies, Carrara said.
Crews were able to control the fire in about an hour.
Three adults and six pets were displaced by the fire with some minor injuries, according to the post. They are getting assistance from the Red Cross, the post said.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
