The Salem Fire & EMS Department responded to a commercial structure fire at 2011 Apperson Drive at approximately 4:05 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The first units arrived at Virginia Industrial Cleaners & Equipment within five minutes of receiving the 911 call and found heavy smoke in the V.I.C.E. showroom area.
It took firefighters 35 minutes to contain and extinguish the fire that was discovered in the office area. The building sustained heavy fire, smoke, and water damage and a portion of Apperson Drive near the business was closed until firefighters cleared the scene. Currently, the Salem Fire Marshal’s Office has not determined a cause of the fire and there are no damage estimates.
Approximately 34 personnel from the Salem Fire & EMS Department (Truck 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Rescue 801, Medic 802, Medic 803, Fire Medic 1, Battalion 1, Fire Marshal 1, Fire Marshal 2, Fire 4), the Roanoke City Fire & EMS (Ladder 5, Engine 4, Engine 13, Battalion 2, Medic 4) and Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Departments (Air 9) responded and assisted in extinguishing the fire.