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OREM — An Orem condominium complex is considered a "total loss" Saturday after fire crews battled for hours to douse the flames.
A resident called in about 3 a.m. and reported the fire at the 12-unit complex at 44 N. Garden Park Dr., according to Orem Fire Battalion Chief Robbie Asbell.
"Upon our arrival, we had a full, active fire moving through," Asbell said. "We went offensive initially, and had made an attack inside. An exterior crew had set up our ladder truck at that time. We had fire overhead of the guys, and was ripping through ... the attic space, and through the roofline, so we pulled our guys out and went defensive."
It took about four hours for about 45 firefighters from several departments to put the fire out, and crews were still cleaning up hot spots at 7:30 a.m., Asbell said.
"The building is completely condemned, so we can't even make access into the building at this time," he said.
Even though the building was destroyed, there were no reported injuries to residents or firefighters in the blaze.
Responding firefighters' first priority is to search the units and make sure residents get out safely, according to Asbell.
"Buildings can be recovered and replaced," he said. "People can't."
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
