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SANDY — A fire that ripped through a home in Sandy Sunday evening is believed to be a total loss, according to the Sandy fire department.
Crews responded to reports of fire at a home near 1300 East and Wayside Drive around 5:30 p.m and found "quite a bit of black smoke."
Deputy Fire Chief Derek Maxfield said crews were able make entry on the main level but had a difficult time locating the origin of the fire.
"Basement fires are notoriously hard to fight, and we've had quite a time fighting it," he said. "Heat and flames rise, so it's really hard for firefighters to get down in the basement where the fire's at and get water on it."
Crews cut a hole in the floor to better access the fire burning below the main level of the home.
Fortunately, Maxfield said, most of the family was gone at the time of the fire. But there was one family member who was sleeping in the basement. He heard a "pop" and quickly got out of the house.
"He's very lucky to get out. We're fortunate that there were no injuries," he said.
Flames were still visible and shooting out of the roof even several hours after fire crews responded.
"It appears that the flames ran up through the basement, through the floors and up into the walls. One of the rooms on the main floor was also on fire and broke through the roof," said Maxfield.
"At this point, I would say it's a total loss," Maxfield said. "Based off of what I've seen, I would say, yes."
Investigators are still on scene trying to determine what may have caused this fire.
More information will be posted as it becomes available.
