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GRANTSVILLE, Tooele County — A pre-lit Christmas tree sparked a fire in a Grantsville home, quickly causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage and trapped a woman in a bathroom.
The woman, who officials did not identify, was taking a shower when the fire started.
"She realized the house was filling with smoke and called 911," said Grantsville Fire Chief Casey Phillips. "The officer aided her in exiting out the back window."
Fire officials said it's unusual for a pre-lit Christmas tree to catch fire. Within minutes, the fire spread through most of the home, causing an estimated $30,000 in damage.
The volunteer fire department managed to save the home, but officials said there's a significant amount of smoke and water damage. The woman who was in the home suffered significant smoke inhalation.
This is the second fire at this house in three years — the first sparked from a swamp cooler during the summer.
Relatives of the family displaced by the fire said they plan to take in the woman, her husband and their three kids. They will renovate the house in the new year and said they hope this is the last fire this house ever sees.
