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LAYTON -- Firefighters say a flammable substance poured down a drain at a Layton apartment complex apparently caught fire, forcing several residents from their homes. No one was injured.
Investigators found three ignition sources in three separate apartments. Firefighters say all three apartments share the same drain system, and it runs next to the water heater and furnace. They say it appears someone poured something flammable down that drain, and the pilot light caught the substance on fire.
"We looked and saw the smoke, so then it was just grab the baby and get out." Art Samples
A retired firefighter and his wife were passing by the complex near 1200 East Gordon Avenue around 6:40 a.m. Monday when they spotted smoke coming from the building's roof. The couple knew it was a fire and immediately went door to door alerting people.
Resident Art Samples said, "It's great that somebody was paying attention. That's awesome because in 10 minutes the whole house was full of smoke. So, it's good that he did that."
It took firefighters only a few minutes to put out the flames. They say most of the damage occurred in one of the three apartments. The fire started in a location that was cluttered.
Doug Bitton with the Layton City Fire Department said, "As you can see, there is a lot of contents below that have been stored near this furnace and water heater. (A good) practice is 3 feet away from any ignition device like this."
"In the other apartments there could be a win-win situation. Not as much fire spread because the other apartments didn't have much storage near these areas," he pointed out.
The fire caused about $20,000 damage to the one apartment. A lot of it is damage to the closet where the furnace is located, the ceiling in the apartment, and the kitchen. Firefighters say the apartment's resident now is staying with family.
Investigators will try to determine who put the substance down the drain and whether they knew it could start a fire. After that, a decision can be made on whether criminal charges will apply.
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Story compiled with contributions from Shara Park and Sheryl Worsley.
