Pleasant Grove home “a total loss” after fireworks started a fire
Jul 5, 2024, 7:03 AM
FILE: The Pleasant Grove Fire Department headquarters is pictured on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. One man and one woman are dead after an overnight housefire in Pleasant Grove early Wednesday morning. The fire is currently under investigation.(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
PLEASANT GROVE, Utah — A home near 1500 N. and 500 E. in Pleasant Grove is a total loss after fireworks tossed in a trash can started a fast-moving fire overnight.
Pleasant Grove Fire Chief Andrew Engemann said crews arrived within about five minutes of the initial call to find the fire spreading from the garage.
“It started in the garage, got up in the attic … we had to chase it for a little bit,” Engemann said. “Finally got it knocked down, but yeah, the home will be a total loss.”
American Fork, Orem and Lone Peak fire departments also responded. Engemann said their first order of business was to make sure no one remained inside.
“Couldn’t find anybody, backed out, went defensive for most of the fire,” Engemann said. “Now we’re just making sure all the hot spots are out.”
Fireworks blamed for Pleasant Grove fire
Engemann believes someone disposed of fireworks improperly, sparking the fire.
“Somebody had gathered fireworks up to put in the trash can and put in the garage, which we strongly advise, you know, that’s not a safe thing to do,” he said.
The Pleasant Grove fire chief instead recommended the use of a bucket and water to dispose of fireworks.
“Put them in a bucket, a metal bucket of some sort, wet them, and soak them for an hour or two at least,” he advised.
Engemann says neither the residents nor firefighters suffered injury. He estimated the value of the home as between $800,000 and $1 million.
Read more:
- Fireworks cause injury at Stadium of Fire event
- Fireworks season nears in Utah: What you need to know
