Smoke billowing from Salem Public Market roof Wednesday night. (photo: Joshua Tharp)
SALEM, Ore. (KATU) —Salem Public Market, known as Oregon’s oldest farmers market, is now closed for repairs after a fire late Wednesday night caused more than $160,000 in damage.
Thursday night Salem Police confirmed that there are investigating the fire as suspicious.
Salem Fire Department crews responded just before 10:30 p.m. to the fire at 1240 Rural Ave. SE, where they found flames protruding through the building’s roof.
Fire crews arrived within four minutes and called in more resources, upgrading the fire to a second alarm He said crews were able to extinguish the fire in about 20 minutes
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The fire caused approximately $167,000 in damage but an estimated $334,000 in property value was saved
Salem Fire officials and Salem Public Market leaders said no one was inside at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.
In a statement shared with KATU, a Salem Public Market spokesperson said, “Thanks to the quick work of Salem Fire crews, much of the building was saved.”
The spokesperson added there is currently no timeline for reopening.
“Our vendors and community mean the world to us, and we’re working to get the market back up and running as soon as it’s safe,” the statement said.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Salem Public Market has operated year-round at that location for more than 80 years.
Market officials said people should check the market’s website and social media for updates on alternative market locations and a reopening date.
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