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SALT LAKE CITY — Fire crews quickly contained a four-alarm fire in west Salt Lake that destroyed approximately 20 vehicles and threatened business.
The fire began around 1 p.m. near a back lot of Pyramid Auto Sales, 1052 S. Redwood Road, Salt Lake fire spokesman Jasen Asay said. The fire spread northwest through dry fields burning vehicles, tire piles, trailers and at least one outbuilding or shed.
Two firefighters were treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire was still under investigation, Asay said, but witnesses reported that a group of transients had been living in the area.
Firefighters appeared to have control of the Glendale-area fire about 2:15 p.m., but Asay said crews would continue monitoring the area.
"There will be hot spots throughout the night," he said.
The fire burned about 25 acres.
Toni Green, an employee at Western Disposal, said she and co-workers saw the initial flames and they appeared to be about the size of a Jeep. She said they could see bursts of flames accompanied by loud popping sounds. The fire then moved quickly toward their business at 925 S. Bending River Road, between Redwood Road and I-215.
"Somebody yelled, and I grabbed what I could and left," Green said. "We all decided we probably should go."
Employees at Pyramid Auto Sales and TNT Trucking on Redwood Road also evacuated after the flames began to spread. Redwood Road was closed in the area.
