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MIDVALE — About 70 people were evacuated from an apartment building in Midvale on Friday afternoon, authorities said.
The fire broke out shortly before 1:30 p.m. at the Chelsea Park apartments near 7385 South and 385 West in Midvale.
Fire crews from two agencies responded to find smoke showing from one unit, while the fire was contained to that unit, smoke spread through several other apartments in the building, according to Unified Fire Authority spokesman Ryan Love. About 70 people were evacuated, he added.
Several residents were on balconies when crews arrived and needed assistance safely exiting, Matthew McFarland said, another UFA spokesperson.
"The devastating potential for this fire was real as multiple residents were trapped on the third floor," UFA officials said in a statement. "ME125 was first on scene and immediately took action in rescue efforts while ME126 focused on fire suppression."
The post continued to say Captain Halsey and Engineer Long placed their engine close enough to the unit sourcing the fire to use their deck gun to flood the unit with 750 gallons of water.
The American Red Cross of Utah said their disaster action team is responding to the scene as well.
The fire was knocked down quickly, and as of 1:45 p.m. crews were cleaning up the area, Love said.
Around 3 p.m., the Red Cross said their response is ongoing at the scene. At most, five apartments are considered uninhabitable, McFarland told KSL Friday evening.
Two people were taken to a hospital to be evaluated for smoke inhalation, McFarland said. One pet cat died and others are missing. About 40 firefighters responded to the area and none were injured.
"Due to the quick and decisive decision making from both Midvale crews, many lives were saved as this fire was contained to a single unit," UFA officials said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Contributing: Emerson Oligschlaeger, KSL
