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SANDY — Two Sandy police officers are being praised for their quick actions to get people out of a burning apartment complex and keep the fire from worsening.
First responders said it happened just before 3 a.m. Sunday at the Liberty Heights Apartments complex at 8176 S. 1300 East.
An officer was in the area, saw smoke coming from a balcony, and then called in other units that arrived within minutes. Two Sandy police officers ran up the second and third floors of the 12-unit apartment complex.
"They got there first and started knocking on doors just trying to notify people to get them out," said Sandy Fire deputy chief Ryan Mcconaghie.
The officers found one apartment that appeared to be where the fire was coming from. They busted down the door to make sure no one was inside. Luckily, it was empty.
"I understand that is pretty much how they were both hit pretty hard with smoke inhalation," said Sandy Police Sgt. Greg Moffitt.
It didn't take long for the first fire crews to arrive.
"It happened to be right next door to Sandy Fire Station 35," Mcconaghie said. "So the crews just pulled on out to the apron, took a left, and they could see smoke and flames coming from the second-floor balcony.
Multiple agencies followed, including Unified Fire, South Jordan, Draper, and Murray. The weather made it tough for crews to battle smoke and flames coming from the second-floor balcony.
"It did destroy the apartment that it started in. Next door, upstairs," Mcconaghie said.
Crews spent most of the day cleaning up debris. With eight apartments suffering fire, smoke, and water damage, the local Red Cross helped three families find a temporary place to stay.
While everyone got out safely, two firefighters had minor injuries. One person was taken to the hospital for minor smoke inhalation, as were the two brave officers who jumped in and saved lives.
"What these officers did was heroic. We're proud of them," Moffitt said.
Mcconaghie said their fast response made a big difference.
"Had that been unnoticed for even just minutes longer it could have resulted in fatalities," he said.
One officer was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon. Moffitt is hopeful the other one, a 20-year-veteran, will be released soon to recover at home.
Investigators are still looking into what exactly caused the fire.
