Draper house fire ruled as suicide

Draper house fire ruled as suicide

(Wyatt Graff)


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DRAPER — Police announced Tuesday an explosive house fire was intentionally set.

The man inside the home, 40-year-old Paul Broadhust, intentionally set his home at 15091 S. Junction Circle on fire to end his life on July 25, according to the Draper City Police Department. He was in critical condition when emergency personnel responded to the fire, but later died from his injuries at the University Hospital Burn Center.

Emergency personnel responded to the house fire, which rocked the neighborhood with an explosion, at 7:25 a.m., investigators said. Police said they received a request to check the welfare of Broadhust at 7:32 a.m., but were already on the scene at the time.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call:

24-Hour National Suicide Prevention Hotline:
1-800-273-TALK (8255)

An accelerator was used to aid the rapid spread of the fire, according to investigators. The home was completely destroyed in the explosion, which also melted siding on some nearby houses.

Broadhust's wife and two children were staying with family in Idaho at the time of the fire, investigators said.

Contributing: Jessica Ivins

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