Staff report

An automated fire alarm paid off for a Salisbury pub Friday when an electrical fire started in the attic.

Salisbury firefighters responded to the automated alarm at 8:43 a.m. Friday to the Friendly Pub at 120 Military Ave., which is adjacent to the National Cemetery.

When firefighters arrived, they spotted smoke coming from the the roof of the metal building.

Crews forced open the front door and pulled in hoses.

Once inside, they found two small fires in the attic area and extinguished them with approximately 25 gallons of water, said Battalion Chief Chris Sorrell.

Crews checked the building for other potential fire spots but found none.

Other crews performed salvage to protect pool tables and other furnishings and equipment from smoke, heat and water damage.

Sorrell pointed out that in most cases when the fire departments respond to automated alarms, they turn out to be no fire. In this case, the alarm may have the saved the building. She said damage was minimal.

No one was in the business at the time of the fire.

Firefighters were on the scene for about 90 minutes.

All three Salisbury fire stations responded, with 20 firefighters on the scene.