SALEM, IL — An early morning fire caused considerable damage to a Salem restaurant on West Main Street Sunday.

According to the Salem Fire Department, a Marion County Sheriff’s deputy first noticed flames coming from the roof of the Village Garden Restaurant around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Upon their arrival, Salem firefighters notices flames showing from the northeast corner of the restaurant’s roof area.  Minimal smoke damage was reported in the restaurant but considerable water damage was caused from the aerial attack on the roof.

The State Fire Marshal’s office was called in to help investigate the cause of the blaze.

Heavy damage around one of the heating and air conditioning units is being considered as a possible cause as well as a possible electrical problems Mt. Vernon City, Kell, Odin, and Kinmundy-Alma firefighters provided mutual aid at the scene, while Iuka and Sandoval stood by at the Salem Fire Station in the event of another fire.

Firefighters remained on the scene until 5:30 Sunday morning.