3-alarm fire destroys single-family home in Magna

MAGNA — A man alerted by his neighbors escaped with his life, but lost his house, in a three-alarm fire in Magna early Sunday.

The blaze at 3697 S. Buckeroo Circle (7885 West) was reported around 1 a.m., according to Unified Fire Authority Capt. Clint Smith.

"While en route our crews could see flames shooting above the roofline of the home and a large amount of smoke," Smith said.

Firefighters determined quickly that the lone resident had evacuated after being notified by neighbors of the fire.

It took firefighters about 45 minutes to get the fire under control and another two hours to extinguish hot spots.

"The fire itself was a two-alarm fire, but we called for the third alarm to have units staging," Smith said. "We wanted to make sure we had plenty of resources."

The single-family dwelling was a total loss, with damages estimated at $200,000.

The resident, a man in his 40s, is receiving assistance from the Red Cross. A teen who also lived in the house part-time was staying with family members at the time of the fire.

A house next door sustained about $10,000 in exterior heat damage. Crews had to strip all of the siding and sheeting off the side of that home that was facing the fire, Smith said. The residents evacuated but have been allowed to return.

Investigators believe the fire started in the garage. They were at the scene Sunday to try to determine the cause of the blaze.

— Paul Koepp