LEHI, Utah (KUTV) — A massive fire ignited in Lehi, engulfing an apartment complex under construction near the Point of the Mountain.
The fire was called in just after 10:15 a.m. on Sunday morning, with 28 units from across Salt Lake and Utah Counties responding to the Traverse Mountain area near Flight Park Road, according to Lehi officials.
About 100 firefighters from Draper to Orem responded to tackle the flames, which had spread to multiple buildings under construction in the area. Officials estimate approximately 30,000 gallons of water were used per minute for up to two hours to contain the fire.
“We were driving on 2100 North and just suddenly looked to our right, and there was this huge plume of smoke,” said Noah Clark, a Lehi resident.
Lehi City officials announced shortly after 12:30 p.m. that the fire was contained. The smoke has significantly died down but remains visible above the complex as firefighters work to extinguish hot spots.
Lehi Fire Chief Jeremy Craft said crews worked for several hours on the fire, noting that the risk of cranes and buildings collapsing complicated the process.
After the fire was contained, officials said the majority of a four-story structure collapsed. They are still monitoring nearby cranes and any parts of the structure that are still standing.
“We have a couple cranes that got a lot of heat damage, and so we’re having a hard time putting our people in there because we don’t believe those cranes are stable,” Craft said. “There’s no life safety issue right now, so we’re not going to create one with our own people. So that might hinder what we do and how fast we do it.”
Craft said multiple investigators were at the scene, but are waiting for the scene to be safe before starting their investigation. He said it wouldn’t surprise him if investigators didn’t start combing through the rubble pile until tomorrow.
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Investigators could take several days going through the rubble to identify a cause and point of origin. Craft said they will likely bring in arson dogs to see if accelerants were used.
“This is an interesting fire,” Craft said. “It’s going to take us a while to figure it out.”
A massive fire ignited in Lehi, engulfing multiple structures under construction near the Point of the Mountain. (Photo: Shishir Dixit, KUTV)
Because the buildings were at different stages of completion, Craft said they are unable to easily estimate the cost of the damage. He said investigators will work with the owner to determine that number.
“Residents and motorists are asked to avoid the north end of Traverse Mountain, including Flight Park Road and nearby walking trails, until further notice,” city officials said, adding that Frontage Road is open.
Craft said residents should expect to see smoke in the area for the rest of the day.
“My wife initially was concerned that the fire might spread,” said Clark. “I wasn’t too concerned because it looked like just the apartment complex was on fire, so I didn’t think it would really spread anywhere.”
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