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WEST VALLEY CITY -- A fast-moving fire Tuesday morning destroyed a home in West Valley City, leaving a family homeless.
Firefighters say the cause appears to be accidental. They believe a discarded cigarette may have started the fire.
Investigators say someone tossed a cigarette into a trash can in the backyard. Around 8 a.m. Tuesday, the deck caught on fire and spread to the siding, attic and garage.
Two boys were in the home, but their mother -- who returned from dropping off another child a school -- was able to get them out safely.
When firefighters arrived the house was engulfed in flames. The fire had gone through the roof, which was near collapse.
"We went to a defensive attack when we first got here," West Valley Fire Chief John Evans said. "The fire was already through the roof, both the garage and house."
The wind was pushing the flames north, so firefighters worked hard to keep the flames from extending to the homes in that direction.
Neighbors say it was a scary situation.
"It was big. I don't know how to describe it," said next-door neighbor Tori Jensen. "The flames were starting to spread to this back tree, the whole roof was up in flames. The flames were shooting up out of the garage toward my house."
Jensen started hearing strange noises outside her home near 3900 South and 6800 West. Then her dogs began whining and barking, so she stepped outside and saw flames shooting out of her neighbor's garage not far from her own home.
"It was really scary living right next door," said Jensen. "I grabbed the hose in the backyard and started spraying the side of my house. We have a giant wood pile on the other side of the [fence] so I just started spraying that down with the hose."
Steady winds fanned the flames and trees in the yard were blackened, but firefighters kept the flames from reaching neighboring homes.
Jensen said her neighbors were outside the house, and she tried to comfort them as they waited for firefighters to arrive.
Firefighters say the fire caused about $200,000 in damage. Evans says the home is likely a total loss. The Red Cross was called in to help relocate the family.
The family has three dogs. They were able to save one; another died, and the third is still missing.
Firefighters say when you're dealing with anything fire-related, like a cigarette or match or fireworks, you need to have an extra sense of caution.
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Story compiled with contributions from Sandra Yi and Randall Jeppesen.
