Salem fire fight shuts down State, Pershing Friday morning

SALEM -- A family of three was burned out of their apartment during a Friday fire that closed both East State and East Pershing streets to early-morning traffic.

Firefighters arrived at 1148 E. Pershing St. at 6:56 a.m. to heavy flames burning in the basement and first-floor areas of the two-story structure owned by James E. Kinkade of Salem.

All three residents were outside, firefighters said.

It was home to tenants Mark Rishel, a woman and one child, according to the fire department.

The tenants advised they were all sleeping and a smoke detector awakened them.

Fire Chief Scott Mason said the family is being assisted by the Salvation Army, which also brought in a truck with refreshments for firefighters and safety personnel.

There were no injuries, Mason said, as the whole department was called in while the Green Township Fire Department, Perry Township Fire Department and Damascus Fire Departments also responded.

Salem police provided traffic control.

The house is situated in the alleyway between East Pershing Street and East State Street and firefighters had to run 300 feet of fire hose to a hydrant on the north side of East State Street, where police closed off traffic to avoid damaging firefighting equipment as a second engine arrived and reverse-laid a water supply line to that hydrant.

Ohio Edison and Columbia Gas were requested to respond.

Two 1.75" hoses were deployed, one for the first floor inside and a second to the exterior to contain the fire to the basement. That hose was then moved to the rear exterior entrance to the basement.

Due to the heavy content loads, movement to the fire in the basement area was delayed while debris was removed.

A third 1.75" hose was advanced to the second floor and, due to the balloon-frame construction, the fire had spread through the wall and climbed into the attic.

Firefighters had the fire under control at 7:30 a.m.

Salvage and overhaul operations were performed on all levels and the hot spots were extinguished as utility companies arrived and disconnected the gas and electric services.

The Perry Township, Damascus and Green Township departments assisted with manpower due to the extensive overhaul operations.

The cause is undetermined and under investigation and the tenants advised as they were exiting there was heavy smoke on the first floor.

The homeowner responded and the structure was insured.

The property was valued at $65,000 with the loss set at $30,000 while the value of the contents was set at $10,000 with $5,000 of that a loss.

Firefighters cleared the scene at noon.

lshields@salemnews.net