Fire engulfs Salem home; family makes it out safely

Jul. 6--A fire that started in a gas grill on the front porch ripped through a Salem home Sunday evening, officials said.

Erik and Melissa Strobel and their four children were home at 193 Roosevelt Way when the fire broke out shortly before 8 p.m., a Westmoreland County 911 shift commander said. Family members, including a child with a disability, made it out safely, the shift commander added.

Erik Strobel said the fire began on the front porch, where he had a cookout on a grill. Strobel said he was inside the house when he heard a boom, went outside and saw the flames were spreading. The family escaped the house through the back door, said Strobel.

Forbes Road Fire Chief Bob Rosatti said the gas grill ignited the porch and the fire entered the house.

Strobel said he had insurance on the house, which he has owned for nine years. The family is being helped by the American Red Cross, Rosatti said.

The fire created heavy smoke in the neighborhood, which is near the border of Unity and Hempfield townships. Firefighters continued to battle the flames until 10 p.m. and had to return to extinguish the blaze later in the evening.

Forbes Road firefighters were assisted by units from Crabtree, New Alexander and Latrobe, as well as Murrysville EMS.