Category Fire
Salem fire chief says first responders don’t cooperate with ICE following response to immigration arrest
A federal immigration agent rode in a city ambulance to Salem Hospital Sunday with a man injured during an immigration arrest. Salem Fire Department policy requires a law enforcement officer to travel with any handcuffed patient, Fire Chief David Gerboth told city councilors.
Fire department response times will get worse as call volume continues to rise, chief says
Salem Fire Chief David Gerboth provided Salem city councilors with an overview of the Salem Fire Department on Monday night during a council work session. Gerboth updated councilors on the status of the department’s new ambulance service, and also discussed the fact that as call volumes continue to increase while staffing remains stagnant, response times will continue to get worse.
Early morning Northgate house fire injures one, $150,000 in damage
A two-alarm fire reported near Northgate Park early Thursday prompted response from three agencies, with one person being transported to hospital. Salem Fire Department estimated $150,000 in damage.
2-alarm fire at West Salem apartment complex evacuates residents, draws big fire response
A second-alarm fire at a West Salem apartment required over 30 firefighters and 16 units late Friday night. Residents got out of the building safely and no injuries have been reported.
Report: Cooking accident caused south Salem house fire that killed 1
A fire marshal investigation concluded that an accidental cooking fire ignited a south Salem home, causing the city’s first fire fatality in recent memory.
UPDATE: Keizer wildland firefighter freed after contesting immigration detention
Firefighter Rigoberto Hernandez Hernandez, 23, has been in federal immigration detention in Washington for over a month. He's been waiting years for a visa application to be processed.
UPDATED: Morning house fire in Salem claims one life, second person injured
Salem police are investigating a house fire on Sunday, Sept. 14, that killed one person and injured another. The fire
Electrical overload likely responsible for August fire that damaged south Salem mobile homes
The Salem Fire Department could not officially determine what caused a fire that damaged three homes on Southeast Cumberland Court on Aug. 10.
2-alarm fire destroys West Salem home, displacing adults, children and pets
A two-alarm fire Thursday displaced a family and their dog and cat from their West Salem home. The Red Cross is helping the family connect with resources, according to the Salem Fire Department.