A fire on a railroad trestle in downtown Salem that prompted a large fire response and threatened an apartment building last month was set intentionally, Salem police said.

In the weeks since the June 16 fire, a police investigation determined the fire was arson, but no one has been arrested yet, police spokesman Officer Mark Jantz said.

“As of now, all potential leads have been exhausted, but we are asking for the public’s help,” Jantz said in an email.

The fire was first reported at 8:20 a.m. Firefighters saw the smoke while in a meeting at the fire department’s headquarters and responded to the scene in minutes.

The fire took place at a railroad trestle bridge next to the South Block Apartments, located at 315 Commercial St. S.E. The flames were put out in 30 minutes, Salem Fire Chief David Gerboth told Salem Reporter on the day.

“They were really aggressive, they did a really great job,” Gerboth said.

Twenty five firefighters, four engines and a ladder truck responded to the fire, along with two battalion chiefs.

The fire caused a large plume of dark smoke that was seen for miles outside of Salem. The size and color of the smoke cloud was due to the oil and creosote on the railroad ties.

Damage was contained to the railroad and a telephone pole nearby.

At the time, police said the fire started as a brush fire and spread to the railroad tracks. Tracks were planned to be back in operation several days later, a spokesperson for the railway company, Portland & Western Railroad, said.

Jantz said that evidence at the scene determined someone set the fire, but did not specify what evidence was found.

Officials looked into whether there was a connection between the Salem fire and another railroad fire that happened in Newberg June 29 and prompted federal law enforcement involvement. Jantz said the investigation has not found evidence connecting the two fires.

Salem police worked with the Salem Fire Department on the investigation and consulted with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The investigation into the fire is ongoing.

Police are asking people with information about the case to call the department at 503-588-6123 option 1.

Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].

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