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SPANISH FORK — It's the lost memories Bob Beagley says are the most difficult to grapple with after his and his family's home set fire on Sunday.
He and his granddaughter were driving home when they saw smoke coming from the Spanish Fork home. They grabbed hoses to try to put it out, but by the time firefighters arrived, the fire that started in the garage had spread throughout the building — taking with it irreplaceable items including family photos, Beagley said.
"Knowing you're not going to be able to get those pictures back, so from now on, we're going to have to reminisce and maybe write them (the memories) down," he said.
The family of four adults was also displaced after the fire caused an estimated $200,000 worth of damage.
The home was built by Beagley's grandfather in 1902, he said.
Firefighters responded to the fire at 112 W. 200 North about 10:07 p.m. Sunday evening. After Beagley returned home with his granddaughter and saw the fire, he began evacuating the occupants as well of those of a neighbor's home to the west, according to the Spanish Fork Fire Department.
Firefighters arrived to find flames coming from the garage and extending into the home. The fire was controlled within an hour and 15 minutes, and the damage was contained to a bedroom, mudroom, attic space and the unattached garage, the department said.
The family was displaced and taken in by family members. Two people were treated for smoke inhalation, and one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion.
Investigators believe the fire was caused by an overloaded electrical cord in the garage.
Despite all the damage to the home that's remained in the family for generations, as well as losing precious family memories, Beagley remained focused on the positive on Monday.
"I think the most important thing to me is that my family's safe," he said. "My neighbors reaching out to me and making me feel like things are going to be OK. That support and love is unmatched."
