Building fire breaks out near Kearns High School, forcing road closures, officer injured
Jan 15, 2025, 7:02 AM | Updated: 8:21 am
A photo shows fire crews responding to a building fire in Kearns on the morning of Jan. 15, 2025. (Courtesy Marlene and Kelly Deuel)
(Courtesy Marlene and Kelly Deuel)
KEARNS — A building across the street from Kearns High School caught fire Wednesday morning, forcing road closures in the busy area and prompting a large response from fire crews, according to the Unified Fire Department.
The building was a small strip mall on the corner of 5400 South and Northwest Avenue. The UFD said the flames may have originated in a pizza shop sometime around 4 a.m., but the cause and location had not yet been determined.
No fire-related injuries have been reported at this time, however, a police officer was struck by a vehicle as they were directing traffic. According to Sgt. Aimee Race with the Unified Police Department, the officer was transported in “fair condition” to a local hospital. The driver has remained on scene and is cooperating.
“We’re urging people … please avoid the area if you can,” she said.
A photo shows fire crews responding to a building fire in Kearns on the morning of Jan. 15, 2025. (Courtesy Eddy Hunt)
The scene was still “very active” as of 6 a.m. as crews worked to contain the flames and huge billows of smoke were seen from the roads nearby.
Crews said they were not concerned about the fire spreading to the high school at all, but that morning traffic in the area would be slow for likely hours as the threat was contained. Regular classes were scheduled to start at approximately 7:15 a.m.
West Jordan Fire was at the scene helping UFD crews.
Contributing: Karah Brackin, KSL TV
This is a breaking news story. It may be updated.
