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OREM — A family of seven is displaced after a fire destroyed their home Tuesday.
According to officials, the fire was sparked about 12:30 p.m. by a space heater in the garage of a home near 700 East 400 North in Orem. The homeowner had been using it to keep warm, but while he was inside for a few moments, the fire broke out.
The homeowner attempted to put the fire out himself. When he could not do so, he called the fire department and got family members out of the house.
Orem Department of Public Safety Sgt. Craig Martinez said the man was home with his wife and two children while their three other children were at school.
Three fire engines responded. Martinez expected the fire would take a couple hours to control.
"It's going to be a total loss. The family has made arrangements with other family members in town to stay with them, because obviously they can't go home," Martinez said. "It's an unfortunate accident."
A neighbor said he was working from home when he saw the smoke rising in the sky. He stepped outside and observed his neighbors across the street from their home.
"I saw flames coming out of the garage on the west side. The cars that were parked there, they were on fire," neighbor David Holcomb said.
