SALEM, IL — An explosion Saturday afternoon resulted in a home at 420 South Pearl in Salem suffering heavy damage when fire from the explosion spread to the home and two nearby vehicles. The fire apparently started in the carport area of the home where someone was working on a motorcycle.

Residents of the home were able to escape the fire uninjured; however, a Salem firefighter was taken to Salem Township Hospital for treatment due to the heat. The State Fire Marshal’s Office has been asked to investigate.

Mutual aid was provided by Kell, Kinmundy-Alma, Mt. Vernon, and Odin while Iuka and Sandoval firefighters stood by at the Salem station as a backup in the event of another fire.