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SALT LAKE CITY — Firefighters returning from another incident located a house on fire and evacuated a family of five people early Sunday morning, fire officials said.
At about 5 a.m., firefighters from Medic-Engine 8 returning from a local hospital spotted smoke in the area of 150 East and 1300 South and after further inspection, found a house on fire near that location, according to Salt Lake Fire Capt. Davin Halvorsen.
“They were actually returning their paramedics from the hospital and noticed smoke in the area,” Halvorsen said. “They started a search of the area and indeed found a house on fire.”
Halvorsen said five people were sleeping inside the home at the time of the fire and the firefighters were able to alert and evacuate all five individuals safely before attacking the fire.
No injuries were reported.
“We’re just very grateful that Medic-Engine 8 and Capt. (Channing) Jones and his crew were at the right place at the right time and made that brilliant decision to go ahead and investigate that smoke,” Halvorsen said. “They all recognized it as a burning home, and it was really fortunate that before this fire went out of control and anybody got hurt, our firefighters were there to locate the house and make that rescue.”
The fire started in the attic, and investigators believe was caused by an electrical problem, Halvorsen said. The fire is still under investigation.
Halvorsen added that the initial damage costs are estimated at $30,000 and that the American Red Cross was assisting the five persons displaced by the fire.
Contributing: Heather Kelly
