This story was updated with new information.

Salem firefighters were in a morning meeting Monday when they saw smoke rising above downtown Salem.

Within minutes, they were on the scene of a railroad bridge fire a block away, next to the South Block Apartments at 315 Commercial St. S.E.

The blaze was reported at 8:20 a.m. and was out in about 30 minutes, according to Fire Chief David Gerboth.

It took 25 firefighters, four engines and a ladder truck. Two battalion chiefs were also on scene, Assistant Chief Brian Carrara told Salem Reporter.

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

Smoke from the fire was visible for miles throughout the Salem area, and nearby blocks appeared hazy as crews worked on the scene.

Many drivers heading to work Monday morning saw black smoke billowing from downtown Salem.

Those walking around downtown were met with the stench of smoke and particles of ash in the air. 

Oil and creosote in the railroad ties caused the especially large and dark smoke plume.

Angela Jahn, who works downtown, was driving along Commercial Street when she saw smoke near the apartments.

Jahn got to her office and looked again to see flames climbing up a telephone pole near the railroad. She said they reached the same height as a nearby apartment building, which is four stories.

The fire damage was contained to the railroad and a telephone pole. No damage was done to the apartment building and no injuries were reported.

Firefighters remained on scene around 10 a.m. “mopping up” vegetation fires and watching for hotspots. One engine will be on standby for the rest of the day to watch for flare ups as the temperature increases, Gerboth said.

Police said the blaze started as a brush fire and spread to nearby tracks. The official cause is under investigation and not confirmed as of late Monday morning, according to Gerboth.

Salem police detectives are investigating to determine whether there is a criminal aspect to the fire, police spokeswoman Angela Hedrick said.

More than a dozen people gathered on Southeast Commercial Street Monday to watch as firefighters put out the last of the flames.

Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].

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