Estimated read time: 3-4 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
PROVO — A brush fire near the mouth of Provo Canyon was the result of snapped high-tension line that holds up a power line, leaving 4,200 in the city without power Sunday night.
The fire was contained and power restored to most of the city shortly after 1 a.m. with indications that a transformer issue was that cause of both the power outage and the fire, according to a statement by the city on Facebook.
Provo City Fire Captain Dean York said they received a call about a possible explosion and power outage in the 4800 North Canyon Road area. When they arrived, they found a power line down and a fence on fire. Initially, as many as 4,500 people lost power.
"For some reason that high-tension line broke. (I) can't tell you whether it was age or speculate why it broke. It fell down crossing a fence made of metal, ground that fence out, turning it into almost a toaster, a heater. So that started the vegetation on fire right there," York said.
The area is filled with horse property and orchards. York said several nearby residents jumped into action to assist firefighters to help fight the fire and protect nearby barns and other structures. They rode their ATVs over and started shoveling dirt on the fire.
"Because of the earlier rains an now the lack of, you have a lot of dry, light fuels that it doesn't take much to get going," said York. "We did have some barn or shed structures that were threatened but were taken care of quite quickly."
By 1 a.m. Monday, power had been restored to all but two dozen customers. Power to all residents was restored by 8 a.m.
Fire investigators are also looking at what caused a string of small fires set over a 2-mile stretch along the Provo River Trail, west of Geneva road. Police said Monday that they were questioning three juveniles in connection with the case.
Most of the incidents were small fires that were quickly stomped out. The largest was at Alligator Park, where crews found 15-foot to 20- foot flames in the trees, Provo Fire Capt. Dean York said.
At each fire witnesses saw three suspicious looking juveniles, York said.
"As they went west, the fires went west," he said.
The fire department eventually caught up with the juveniles, who were held until police could arrive for further questioning. There were no reports of injuries or burned structures.
Investigators did not believe the fires were related to a recent string of at least 10 arson-related fires in the Provo area since April that have destroyed several abandoned homes and vehicles.
As the 4th of July week begins, York said this serves as a reminder of the need for extra caution to help prevent fires. Residents are asked to make sure weeds are cut down and dry brush is ripped away from homes.
Most cities have areas like parks where fireworks can be used. Residents should contact their cities with any questions about where or what type of fireworks are allowed.
"There's a lot of flammable materials out there, so we're trying to protect lives. We're trying to protect property, and so be safe with fireworks," York said.
Contributing: Haley Smith and Pat Reavy
Embeded YouTube video courtesy of Joshua Carter.
