4-alarm fire closes roads, delays commuters in Salt Lake City
Dec 19, 2024, 11:08 AM | Updated: 6:57 pm
(Salt Lake City Fire Department)
(Salt Lake City Fire Department)
SALT LAKE CITY — Fire officials were working to contain and extinguish a four-alarm fire burning in Salt Lake City on Thursday.
Huge billows of smoke were seen from nearby roads when the flames broke out just before 10:30 a.m. By 11:15 a.m., crews had contained the fire to one vacant building in the area.
Utahns in the area noticed a strong, glue-like odor following the fire. At the same time, air quality in the area was steadily worsening.
The fire broke out at a vacant building located at 1030 South and 200 West.
Salt Lake City Fire Battalion Chief Bob Silverthorne said they’re still unsure about the cause of the fire.
He also said they weren’t sure about the source of the strong smell in the area.
“Most of these buildings have some sort of plastics that are burning. Being [that] it’s a vacant building… I don’t really know if there’s any particular hazardous materials in there that are burning.”
Silverthorne advised anyone living or working nearby to keep doors and windows closed and turn off their heating or air systems if they detect the smell indoors.
Firefighters conducted a sweep of the building and believed no one was inside. Nearby, UniFirst Uniform Services was evacuated as a precaution.
Salt Lake City fire impacts traffic
As of 6:33 p.m., the SLCFD said “the 200 West corridor, including light rail, will be impacted overnight.”
Drivers were asked to avoid the area.
The fire also affected TRAX riders, and the UTA set up a bus bridge between 600 South and Central Point.
#TRAX Update 3:05 PM: The TRAX bus bridge between 600 South and Central Pointe is still in effect. Continue to expect delays on all lines. For more information, assistance, or a courtesy ride with UTA ReConnect, please contact UTA Customer Service at 801-743-3882.
— Utah Transit Authority – UTA (@RideUTA) December 19, 2024
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