Fire damages Sandy home

SANDY — A two-alarm fire ripped through a house here Friday afternoon.

The fire was reported just after noon near 9000 South and 2900 East. Flames shot through the roof and sent a thick cloud of black smoke into the neighborhood.

The fire started in the rear of the house, said Sandy Fire Capt. Dick Hekker. Neighbors said they believed it started on the back deck. The cause of the fire was unknown Friday.

The homeowner, who neighbors said moved in just two weeks ago, was not home. Firefighters rescued a pet bird from inside the house.

The house suffered extensive damage to the exterior and interior.

Hekker said heavy winds sent flames into the house and blanketed the surrounding homes with thick smoke.

"I looked out the window and there was this massive cloud of black smoke," said neighbor Sherry Christensen.

Bill Christensen said he was sitting in his living room when others in his family thought they smelled matches burning. He then saw the thick plume of black smoke "that looked like a rain cloud," he said.

"I ran as fast as I could (to the fire)," Christensen said.

When he arrived at the house, he said the structure was fully engulfed. Christensen grabbed a garden hose and tried to protect the wooden deck. Although portions of the deck were charred and heat from the fire caused windows in the burning house to pop, his efforts to protect the deck and house were largely successful.

Christensen was treated by paramedics for minor smoke inhalation.

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