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Dry conditions and wind played a major role in a fire in West Valley City this afternoon. The flames started in a field and quickly spread to nearby homes.
We've had wind, very dry conditions and even a thunderstorm pull through the area just a little while ago. Investigators think workers clearing brush in the field may have sparked the fire around noon. The blaze spread across the field and then eventually over toward several homes near 4400 South and 5900 West.
There were apparently six homes affected. One in particular looks like it's been destroyed. A garage on that property was destroyed as well. According to the fire chief, the fire caused an estimated $120,000 in damage. Several other homes sustained minor damage.
West Valley City resident Christin Wadman says, "I'm just thankful that it isn't my home. I have next door neighbors that their home is totally gone."
West Valley City Assistant Fire Chief Kris Romijn said, "You can see how it ran along the fence line and the way the wind pushed it all the way down the fence line. And we have fences that border about six houses that it's been involved with so it moved really fast and firefighters did a great job of heading it off.
Resident Paula Kennedy said, "All I saw was one guy jump from the tractor ... like he was running. I think it scared the crap out of him."
When this fire really got going, people needed to move quickly in this neighborhood. There was a house that apparently had kids in it. They were able to get out quickly. There was a neighbor that helped to save some dogs that were trapped behind fences.
No injuries were reported. The West Valley City fire chief says the blaze is still under investigation.
E-mail: jdaley@ksl.com
