VIDEO/PHOTOS: Fifty firefighters responded to a home in Salt Lake City’s Fairpark neighborhood Sunday morning after it went up in flames. Salt Lake City Fire Department Public Information Officer Capt. Brandt Hancuff said dispatchers received multiple reports of smoke and fire near 800 West and 400 North at 7:50 a.m. on June 15. When crews arrived, they encountered billowing smoke and heavy flames coming from a home at 836 W. 400 N. The fire was quickly upgraded to a second-alarm blaze, prompting additional crews to respond. Although neighbors told firefighters the home was vacant, crews conducted a search to ensure no one was inside.
Firefighters found furnishings and personal belongings, but it was unclear whether someone had been living in the residence or if anyone had died in the fire. Due to heavy smoke filling the structure, firefighters took a defensive approach, battling the blaze from outside. Capt. Hancuff said exposure protection was a top priority, as neighboring homes are closely spaced. No damage was reported to adjacent homes, but the house where the fire began sustained heavy damage and is likely a total loss. Capt. Hancuff said the heat was a significant factor, contributing to the fire’s growth and making conditions more difficult for firefighters wearing heavy gear. Crews were rotated to avoid overheating.
