SALEM, Va. (WFXR) — There was a fire this morning in Salem, and crews are still at the scene after the building was determined a total loss.
According to officials, Salem Fire-EMS got the call just before 2:30 this morning for a commercial fire. They say they arrived to find a warehouse fully engulfed in flames and heavy smoke was coming out of it.
Officials told WFXR crews on the scene, that they originally were worried about the building behind the warehouse, working for hours to keep the fire from extending and keeping it contained.
“Initially, our focus was saving any other structures, and then we turned our attention here,” said Salem Fire-EMS, Fire Chief John Prillaman. “We had help from Roanoke City, we brought in two ladder trucks, and we were flowing the water from the ladder trucks on the exposures and the fire.”
WFXR crews on the scene say that firefighters have put out the fire, but do expect to be there for many more hours to contain the hotspots.
Officials say the warehouse is a total loss, and the building behind it suffered some damage but the contents within remain intact.
Crews have been brought in to knock down parts of the warehouse that was in flames. Salem Fire-EMS tells WFXR that it was no longer safe for them to continue on their own, so they needed additional crews to help break some of the structure and lift up metal pieces to get all of the hotspots.
So far, there have been no injuries reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Officials are asking drivers to stay away from the area, as 7th Street is completely closed, and the end of Market Street is closed as well.
