SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Feb. 16, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Salt Lake City Fire Department crews were at the scene of a house fire at 42 S. 800 West on Friday night.
Capt. Nate Rock, SLCFD medic engine 2, told Gephardt Daily crews were called to a fire in a single-family dwelling. He said light smoke was coming from inside.
“We were met on the curbside by the occupants,” Rock said. “Everyone was out, and they said the fire was in the basement.”
Crews made their way through the house to the back, where the stairs were, and found some items on fire in the basement, he said.
One of the challenges the firefighters faced was that it was difficult to vent the smoke because “there was only one small window for the whole basement.”
He also mentioned that there was only one way to access the basement.
“With a basement fire, it can be dangerous when there’s one exit, because that’s where the heat and smoke like to go,” Rock said.
Crews put fans at the back of the house to push the smoke out.
Rock said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the investigation also will help determine whether the house is habitable.
He said he heard the investigator say the damage from smoke and water is estimated at $15,000.
There were no injuries to the residents, their pets or the firefighters.
The flames were under control within 15 minutes of the arrival of fire crews, which Rock said included three engines and a truck, for a total of 16 firefighters, plus the chief and Gold Cross ambulance.
