Second fire in 9 days forces Cottonwood Heights apartment residents from their homes

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah, Nov. 18, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Fire crews responded to the Santa Fe Apartments late Saturday night for the second time in less than two weeks.

Unified Fire Authority Specialist Matthew McFarland said the call was received at about 11:30 p.m., and the first firefighters arrived at the complex, at 1550 Fort Union Blvd., within about seven minutes.

McFarland said several apartments were affected, and smoke and flames were already plainly visible when fire crews got there.

The cause of the fire is as yet unknown.

McFarland said although this incident is similar to one that occurred at the complex in the early morning hours of Nov. 9, there is no reason right now to think the two fires are related in any way.

At least three apartments, and possibly four, were burned, McFarland said. Officials had not yet determined exactly where the fire started.

Several residents have been displaced as a result of this fire, and McFarland said the Red Cross was at the scene to help at least 10 people find accommodations and various necessities lost in the blaze.

No humans or pets were injured in the fire, he said.

Crews from Sandy and Murray fire departments came out to help, along with Cottonwood Heights Police and Dominion Energy.

McFarland said 24 units, including ambulances, responded to the scene, bringing more than 50 personnel to assist the residents and help battle the fire.

He had a few suggestions for keeping your home safe and hazard-free as the weather turns colder and the holidays approach:

• If you see or even think there’s a fire anywhere, call the fire department.
• If you have a fireplace, get your chimney inspected yearly.
• With Thanksgiving coming up, be smart in the kitchen.
• If you use a real Christmas tree, make sure it’s watered — do not let it dry out.
• And finally, he said, “There’s no space for candles in your home.”

But if you feel you absolutely must have candles burning, be sure to keep them away from anything flammable, keep them out of reach of children and pets, and never leave a burning candle unattended.

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