Apartments burned in Millcreek deemed uninhabitable, leaving more than 40 displaced

MILLCREEK — A large fire broke out at the Willow Glen Apartments in Millcreek on Friday afternoon. Two buildings were seen on fire, and the American Red Cross of Utah said 79 residents were initially displaced.

Capt. Tony Barker with the Unified Fire Authority said Saturday that building inspectors looked at those apartments and determined that both were uninhabitable. That means 40 to 50 people have been permanently displaced.

“We’re setting up a protection zone around (the buildings) to keep people out, whether its fire personnel or residents,” Barker said. “They cannot regain access to these apartments, hence everything in those is considered a total loss.”

The fire started when someone was using a lawn mower to cut weeds in a field near the Willow Glen Apartments. The lawnmower caused a spark to ignite a fire, and it grew to threaten surrounding structures.

Barker said strong winds pushed the flames into the apartment building.

“The winds are obviously hindering our efforts to contain this fire,” Barker said in a statement to the media.

Evacuating the apartments

Jasmine Sayre, who lives in an adjacent apartment complex next to Willow Glen, paced up and down 1300 East while watching the apartments go up in flames.

“The unknowns are terrifying,” Sayre said.  “I received a frantic phone call from my roommate while I was driving home from work.  She said firefighters had pounded on the door and evacuated her.  There was no time to grab anything.”

Sayre explained how she has pets she’s worried about that got caught in the fire.

“I have pets. I feel so helpless. Are my dogs okay? I am extremely worried about them,” Sayre said.

A total of two buildings, with a minimum of 24 apartments, were affected by the fire.

A total of 79 people have been displaced, and four firefighters sustained minor injuries.

In a post to X, Millcreek City said an evacuation center had been set up at a church located at 1250 E. 4800 S. The Red Cross also responded to the scene.

By Saturday morning, Salt Lake County Emergency Management said evacuations were still in effect for the apartment complex.

Gage Eastin, who lived in building 4868 for six years, talked about how he heard his neighbors screaming “fire” around 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon.

“All the brush and weeds were ablaze,” Eastin said.  “The fire was roaring.  I ran outside and saw a wall of fire.”

Eastin went on to explain what it was like to evacuate the building.

“I couldn’t breathe because the smoke was so thick. Everything happened so fast. As we evacuated, we heard loud pops. Cars engulfed by flames were exploding, and tires were popping. It was so scary. I am in shock. I am still shaking,” Eastin said.

Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silverstrini and the Millcreek City Council issued the following statement in a press release:

“Our thoughts are with those who have been displaced by this
tragedy,” said Mayor Silvestrini. “We are incredibly grateful for the swift response from Unified
Fire Authority, Unified Police Department, other mutual assistance from agencies from around the
valley, Salt Lake County Emergency Management, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
and the American Red Cross.”

Help from the community

The Unified Fire Authority said donations like clothing, hygiene products and household goods can be drooped off at Millcreek City Hall, located at 1330 E. Chambers Ave. Donations can be dropped off on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. throughout the week next week.

Barker said Saturday that the city was looking for clothing, hygiene products and household goods.

Millcreek City said on Saturday that pre-packed meals were originally needed, but by the afternoon, they received enough meals and no longer needed that help.

“Meal donations are no longer needed — we’re so grateful for your incredible support,” the city said.

Friday night, volunteers with the American Red Cross reported six cats and a few dogs were still missing following the large Willow Glen Fire.

Red Cross Volunteers said it could be days before residents can visit their homes to see what is left. There were no injuries reported from those evacuated.

“We have a team of nurses and physicians who are on standby 24/7,” Red Cross Regional Disaster Officer Matt Stevens said. “If there is anyone who can’t get their medicine or a medical device, we can provide them with that. We are also providing mental health services.”

This year, Red Cross of Utah Volunteers have already responded to more than 85 home fires; assisting over 400 people.

Anyone affected by the fire can call the American Red Cross anytime at 1-800-733-2767.

At this time, authorities are asking the public to avoid the area.

This is just one of several other grass fires started around Salt Lake County on Friday.

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Contributing: Jacob Freeman

This is a breaking story and may be updated.