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Jed Boal ReportingHomebuilding continues to boom in the Southwest area of the Salt Lake Valley, and in many parts of the state. Arsonists, vandals and other criminals often find construction sites easy targets.
Firefighters say an arsonist poured a flammable liquid in the garage and basement of a house under construction in West Jordan, and lit it up.
"The first home was completely involved with fire when we got here."
People who live nearby thought they heard an explosion. The raging fire ripped through the two houses, but firefighters turned back the flames before they torched a third.
Batt. Chief Marc McElreath/West Jordan Fire Dept:. "They're always suspicious. Unoccupied. One-thirty in the morning. We have no idea what started it."
As for this fire, investigators are talking with people, looking for potential witnesses. But there was little evidence left.
K-9's later detected flammable liquid. Investigators will try to pinpoint what it was. Total damage potentially exceeds one million dollars.
The Denver-based developer takes the loss. Investigators were left with a black hole, lucky to get the evidence they did.
Cpt. Gary Cox/West Jordan Police Department: "Most crimes at construction sites are crimes of opportunity."
West Jordan police recently made a push to help builders and homeowners secure properties under construction, but it's tough. Theft is most common-- tools and material swiped from sites, even copper wire lifted then salvaged.
Police advise builders to take tools, and not to store materials at job sites until they're needed.
As for keeping arsonists and other criminals away, police say they patrol those areas as often as possible.
Cpt. Gary Cox/West Jordan Police Department: "With the construction growing at the rate that it is in West Jordan, that's more difficult. We have a lot more sites than other areas do."
