DRAPER, Utah, Dec. 13, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) — Santa Claus and the Unified Fire Department came to the rescue Sunday afternoon when the Living Planet Aquarium caught fire.
“He said, ‘Do you smell smoke?'” said Mrs. Claus, talking exclusively with Gephardt Daily. “‘It smells like fire.'”
Santa investigated, and traced the smell to the kitchen area. In an almost unbelievable bit of luck, Santa sometimes supplements his North Pole job by working as a fire marshal for Draper city, laboring under the non-elfin name “Don Buckley.”
No one—neither humans nor sea creatures—was hurt in the fire. Four of the former were evacuated, and the latter remained in their tanks, which never warmed up or lost power.
The fire, which began at 12:45 p.m. at the aquarium, 12033 S. Lone Hill Drive, was quickly brought under control. Santa/Buckley inspected the scene before taking his leave.
The investigation into the fire is ongoing.
Santa Claus was among those evacuated during a fire at the Living Planet Aquarium Sunday. Photo: Gephardt Daily
A fire forced the evacuation of visitors to the aquarium Sunday. Photo: Gephardt Daily
Firefighters prepare as they continue to extinguish the fire at the Living Planet Aquarium Sunday. Photo: Gephardt Daily
Police and firefighters are on scene of a kitchen fire at the Living Planet Aquarium. Photo: Gephardt Daily
Firefighters prepare to use the hydrant to fight the blaze at the facility. Photo: Gephardt Daily
A firefighter is lifted up to help assist with the fire. Photo: Gephardt Daily.
Crews continue to assist in fighting a fire at the aquarium. Photo: Gephardt Daily
A fire hydrant at the aquarium is activated to help fight the fire Sunday. Photo: Gephardt Daily
Photo: Gephardt Daily
Photo: Gephardt Daily
Firefighters climb to the roof of the Living Planet Aquarium Sunday to extinguish a blaze that started in the kitchen. Photo: Gephardt Daily
Firefighters climb to the roof of the Living Planet Aquarium Sunday to extinguish a blaze that started in the kitchen. Photo: Gephardt Daily