78 Evacuated From Oregon State Hospital While Salem Fire Extinguishes Problem

Residents were evacuated from the building into a fenced-in yard

Photo: Salem Fire

(SALEM) - Salem Fire Department responded to a call for smoke in a structure at 3:16 PM on Monday, January 1st at 2600 Center St. NE, Oregon State Hospital Building 48.

Firefighters arrived to find a smoke-filled 2nd floor hallway with smoke billowing out from under a closed door in a common area of the building.

Firefighters quickly extinguished a couch on fire in the closed room, and pulled down ceiling tiles looking for any extension of the fire into the ceiling areas of the room and hallway.

The couch fire appeared to have been started by a resident using a contraband lighter. No injuries were reported and the damages were estimated to be less than $500.

According to staff, approximately 78 individuals, residents and staff, were in the building at the time. The residents were evacuated from the building into a fenced-in yard and later released back into the building.