there was a fire this evening
just 2 blocks from where i live it was on the news



two-alarm fire that started in a motor home displaced three people after it spread through their northeast Salem home this afternoon.
Salem Fire Department crews were called to the house at 1055 Hickory St. NE about 3:30 p.m. at the report of a motor home on fire.



The older Tioga motor home’s engine caught fire when one of the residents was working on it, Deputy Fire Marshal Laird Case said. The man poured gasoline on the carburetor to help start the motor home and it started the fire, Case said.
James Stanberry, who has rented a room in the house for about a year, said he tried to put the small blaze out with nearby towels.
“It went way too fast,” he said.
The fire took off and consumed the entire motor home. Case said it was a total loss, with the estimated value at $7,000 or $8,000.
Stanberry said when he realized he couldn’t stop the flames, he went inside the home to notify the homeowner, Melba Sparks Winters, and her adult daughter, Betsy Atkins.
“I was just yelling, ‘Get out, get out!’” Stanberry said.
And that is what Winters did, grabbing only shoes and her purse before watching the fire from a neighbor’s porch.
Firefighters arrived and battled the blaze as it spread from the parked motor home to the single-story house.
The fire burned through the home’s living room, kitchen and attic, sending billows of smoke throughout the rest of the home.
After about 20 minutes, firefighters had control of the fire, Case said.
The house was deemed a total loss because of the fire and smoke damage, Case said. He estimated the damage at about $150,000.
Next-door neighbors were evacuated, but their homes were not damaged by the fire.
Portland General Electric and NW Natural Gas crews responded to cut power and gas at the home, and Salem Police kept traffic from Hickory Street while firefighters worked.
Winters said she has insurance on the home she’s lived in for more than 15 years.
She and Stanberry made arrangements to stay with neighbors and family, and the Red Cross was also called to assist, Case said.

I am glad you are okay

i wasent even home. when this happen

I am glad your home is okay