Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PAYSON — A fire destroyed the home of a former Payson mayor Friday night.
Payson Fire Chief Scott Spencer told KSL the fire was called in at about 8:30 p.m. Friday. Three agencies were sent to fight the fire, which had nearly fully engulfed the house located at 35 N. 100 West.
"En route, some of the guys on the first engine saw heavy black smoke coming from the back of the house," Spencer said. "When they arrived, the back half of the house was totally involved."
He said the front half of the house was not entirely involved, but the house is likely a complete loss. The fire spread throughout the three floors of the home, leaving only a portion of the basement untouched.
Spencer said it took about five hours to extinguish the fire and hot spots. Dr. Gordon Taylor, a dentist and the former mayor of Payson, was not home when the fire started. Spencer said Taylor is currently staying with one of his children. A person who rents his basement is staying at a local hotel.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown, but an investigation is ongoing.
"We're trying to figure out what really went on and how it got started," Spencer said.
Contributing: Dan Jessop
