The Salem Fire & EMS Department responded to a fire at Spartan Silk Screen, located at 107 Roanoke Blvd., Thursday night at approximately 9:50 p.m. The business is situated about 200 yards from Fire Station One in Downtown Salem, so crews were on the scene immediately.
Firefighters at Station One initially saw smoke coming from the building and when they ran across the street to determine the severity, they found a worker of the establishment trying to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. This worker suffered some minor heat-related injuries, but refused transport to the hospital.
As units arrived at the scene, they found heavy fire burning throughout the garage area of the business and it took an aggressive effort by Salem Fire and EMS personnel to keep it from spreading to the main retail area of the store. The fire was extinguished by 10:03 p.m. and the Fire Marshal’s Office has ruled the fire accidental in nature.
Approximately 15 personnel from the Salem Fire & EMS Department (Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Truck 1, Medic 801 and Media 802) responded to the call and six other firefighters from Roanoke City assisted.
The damage estimate has been set at $100,000 with most of the loss in equipment and inventory.