Salem police and the state fire marshal’s office are investigating the fire in Salem

A search is underway for those responsible for placing a sofa on top of a car and setting it on fire early Thursday morning.

The incident occurred outside a home occupied by Roger Johnston and Mary Greenwood and owned by Herman Perry in the 400 block of North College Street in Salem.

Salem Assistant Fire Chief Bill Fulton says upon arrival the burning sofa was beginning to fall apart and pieces to the ground. The owners were trying to contain the fire with a garden hose. The fire was close enough to the house to cause some of the metal in the house to melt. However, it was extinguished before it could spread to the residence.

Fulton says the fire scorched the paint on the top of the car and caused part of the top to buckle. There was minor smoke damage to the interior. Fulton suspects the car will be a total loss.

Fulton said the couch was placed outside the home and given away for free to anyone who wanted it.

As part of the investigation, video surveillance from homes in the neighborhood will be reviewed.

The fire call came in around four o’clock Thursday morning.