VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A house on Salem Road in Virginia Beach was damaged by a fire on Friday afternoon.
A spokesperson for the Virginia Beach Fire Department said it happened in the 2000 block of Salem Road near Independence Boulevard and Dam Neck Road.
Crews responded shortly before 3 p.m., and firefighters arrived to fire coming from the garage. The fire was marked out shortly before 4 p.m.
Alexander Nash, who lives next door, told 13News Now he smelled something burning while on his laptop.
“I started smelling like electrical smoke, and I checked my laptop, thinking it may be the laptop,” he explained.
He said that he asked his daughter to look out the window to check on their neighbors. "She told me to call 911,” Nash recalled.
Although the blaze was contained within an hour, crews closed off Salem Road and remained on the scene for several hours to put out hot spots.
The fire heavily damaged the home and three vehicles. Family members say an elderly couple, an adult son and two dogs lived in the house.
“They are very down-to-earth people, and they’re very friendly and kind,” said Nash.
While Nash is sad the fire happened, he said he is happy everyone safely made it out of the home.
“If they need any help, just let us know. We’ll be there as soon as you [they] call or text us,” said Nash.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated, according to the spokesperson. Salem Road was expected to be closed for about two hours.