Massive Salem Fire Consumes China Star, Vape Venue, 11 Apartments

SALEM, NH — Two firefighters were injured in Salem Wednesday morning as they fought a massive fire at a Main Street building and the structure collapsed on them. The fire broke out in the China Star restaurant at 80 Main Street at about 5:35 a.m. Lieutenant Chris Hamilton and Firefighter P.J. Comeau were fighting the flames in the building when it collapsed, police said. Hamilton was pinned by a beam and Comeau had his helmet ripped off.

"Comeau worked to free Hamilton’s leg, and within a short time Hamilton was able to wiggle free and they exited the building," Salem police Chief Paul Parisi said in a statement.

The firefighters suffered minor injuries and were hospitalized.

The fire consumed the China Star, the Vape Venue shop and 11 apartments inside the three-story building. Ten of the apartments were occupied when the fire broke out; all the residents made it out safe.

The fire started somewhere in the China Star and the cause appears to be accidental, according to Parisi.

Photos: The scene of a fire at the Salem China Star restaurant June 13, 2018. (Credit: Salem Police Department)