SALEM – A fire from last week where rescue workers saved three small dogs from a Millville Street home has been deemed suspicious by investigators.

Despite heavy snowfall throughout the day on Friday, Feb. 22, firefighters were able to respond quickly to the cape home at 32 Millville St., according to Asst. Chief Paul Parisi.

The speedy attack on the fire was possible due to a staffing boost of two additional firefighters on shift made affordable by a federal government grant accepted last year.

“We knocked the fire down and kept it confined to the first floor where it began,” Parisi said.

After Fire Marshal Jeff Emanuelson’s preliminary investigation of the cause, the fire’s origin has been considered suspicious and turned over to Salem police.

The home, owned by Nancy Concemi, was left uninhabitable, with fire damage on the first floor, Parisi said, while the second floor was damaged by heavy heat and smoke.