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OREM — Orem police are investigating a suspicious fire that destroyed four cars and some storage units at an Orem apartment complex Monday afternoon.
About 4:10 p.m. fire crews responded to a fire at an apartment complex at 1492 S. 175 East. Four cars in a carport adjacent to the 12-unit building were fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived.
The fire destroyed the cars and spread to 10 nearby storage units. The cars and the storage units, including all of their contents, were a complete loss, said Orem Fire Battalion Chief Shaun Hirst.
Residents told firefighters and police that among those coming to terms with what the fire consumed was resident Joani Smith. Her father pointed out her charred vehicle.
“This car is hers,” said Ty Smith, noting the fire started quickly and moved through the carport and storage area extremely fast. “And then all of the storage was her memories. ... Her cheer outfit from high school, her pictures from the time she was a little girl. She’s hysterical.”
The apartment building sustained minor damage, according to Hirst. No one was reported to have been hurt. And that fact brought Joani Smith some comfort Monday night.
“No people hurt, no pets hurt,” Joani Smith said. “So that’s good.”
Police are now investigating the possibility that the fire was deliberately set. That suspicion has the residents on edge.
“You don’t think that stuff is going to happen in orem,” Ty Smith said.
Contributing: Andrew Adams, KSL TV
