SANDY, Utah, May 10, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A fire that engulfed a house in Sandy early Friday morning also took the life of a resident of the home.
Tracy Shumway, 54, was found deceased inside the home at 1572 Hidden Drive after firefighters were finally able to gain access.
Crews attempted to enter the residence upon arrival, but were forced to take defensive positions after the floor collapsed into the basement.
That’s where investigators believe the fire started.
Fire crews from multiple agencies responded after calls came in to emergency dispatchers at about 3:30 a.m., reporting thick smoke in the Hidden Valley Drive area, Sandy Fire Chief Bruce Cline told Gephardt Daily.
They arrived to find the home engulfed in flames and smoke.
It was first reported that no one was in the home at the time of the blaze, but Sgt. Jason Nielsen, of the Sandy Police Department, told Gephardt Daily on Friday evening that Mr. Shumway was later found deceased inside.
Shumway was the only person home at the time.
Nielsen said the fire is currently being investigated as a possible arson, but he did not say why. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The cause of death also is still under investigation and will be determined by the Office of the Medical Examiner.
Thirty-five firefighters from Sandy, South Jordan and Draper were able to knock down the two-alarm blaze, but remained on scene throughout the morning mopping up hot spots.
Gephardt Daily will update this story as more information is made available.
