Suspect in custody after shootout, house fire in St. George neighborhood

ST. GEORGE — The St. George Police Department said they have a suspect in custody after what they described as an “active threat situation” in the Little Valley neighborhood of St. George on Tuesday afternoon.

 

Earlier in the day, St. George Police Chief Kyle Whitehead said in a video posted to Facebook that a suspect had barricaded himself in a residence, alone, and was “shooting at police officers” in the area of 3000 East and Seegmiller Drive.

Whitehead said that police returned fire. Whitehead also said that the home in question was on fire. He did not elaborate further.

Later, Fire Chief Robert Stoker with the St. George Fire Department said that while police cleared the house, the house caught fire on two floors.

Fire crews were able to put out the fire using “a defensive approach,” Stoker said, leaving extensive damage to both floors of the home.

The fire department said the house will be a total loss, as teams will be cleaning up hot spots.

Stoker said the cause of the fire is unknown, but it happens to be more “police-related information.”

Whitehead said that there were no injuries and that police didn’t believe there were any further threats.

He asked residents to avoid the area of 3000 East and Seegmiller Drive as police continue to assess the situation.

The suspect was taken into custody.

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This is a breaking news story. It may be updated.