WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, Aug. 27, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — An attempt to prepare a hot snack in the wee hours of the night ended in near disaster for dozens of West Valley City apartment dwellers Sunday.
West Valley City firefighters were called to 1466 W. 3500 South at about 1:45 a.m. When they arrived, they found smoke coming from one apartment in the three-story building while water poured from numerous others.
West Valley City Fire Battalion Chief Jed Peters told Gephardt Daily that one of the residents left food on the stove, causing a fire and triggering sprinkler systems throughout the complex.
Apartments on all three floors sustained substantial water damage. Seven units were no longer inhabitable.
The Red Cross estimated 30 people were displaced in the mishap.
Peters pointed out that West Valley City Police units were first to arrive when the extent of the fire danger was still unknown.
Officers still entered the building and helped frightened residents from their homes.
“They did an awesome job,” Peters said.
The exact chain of events leading to the late night feeding attempt that caused the fire and flooding has yet to be determined.
