SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Aug. 12, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — Roughly 60 to 70 Salt Lake City firefighters waged an overnight battle — Monday into Tuesday — against a three-alarm blaze burning in the heart of downtown SLC.
First responders were dispatched to 321 South Main Street about 8:40 p.m. Upon arrival they found multiple businesses venting smoke and flames.
“We’re still in an active firefight,” Salt Lake City Fire Department division chief Bob Silverthorne said in a Monday night briefing. “This is a complex fire involving what we believe are four interconnected commercial structures — the two in the center appear to be the primary body of the fire.”
All buildings have been fully evacuated, and search and rescue teams completed both primary and secondary sweeps, confirming no civilians were trapped or injured, Silverthorne said.
One firefighter, initially treated on site, was later transported to a local hospital for evaluation. His injuries are considered minor.
Due to collapse risks and the aggressive spread of fire within the center of the structure, fire crews have transitioned to a defensive strategy in some areas. At least two aerial master streams — large hoses mounted on ladder trucks — are actively dumping water onto the burning buildings from elevated positions.
“This is legacy construction — conventional, older wood framing, no modern suppression systems — which makes it difficult to fight,” Silverthorne said. “And with these types of buildings, once the fire gets entrenched, it’s incredibly labor-intensive.”
Photo: Gephardt Daily/Samuel Price
Firefighters have deployed additional hose lines to target interior and rear areas of the structure, with heavy smoke and radiant heat still presenting hazards more than two hours into the incident.
Drivers and pedestrians are urged to avoid the area entirely.
“We’re urging residents nearby to shelter in place,” Silverthorne said. “Keep your doors and windows closed and turn off your HVAC systems. The smoke is thick, and conditions have changed with a wind shift and atmospheric pressure pushing it down to street level.”
Fire investigators have begun the early stages of their work, including collecting witness statements and surveillance footage from surrounding businesses, Silverthorne said, adding, that determining a cause will take time.
“Even though our investigations unit is already working on it, we’re probably looking at at least two weeks before we have anything definitive.”
The buildings involved appear to house multiple businesses — and possibly residential units above. Damage from smoke and water is likely to affect neighboring buildings as well, even those not directly touched by flames.
This story is developing. More updates to follow as information becomes available.
