Mystery fire destroys vacant house in Magna

MAGNA — Investigators don't yet know what caused a fire that destroyed a vacant home Friday, burned a neighboring field and melted vinyl panels off before being squelched by firefighters from two departments.

The blaze began about about 8 p.m. Friday. By the time firefighters from the Unified Fire Authority and West Valley Fire Department arrived at 3200 South and 9100 West, the home was fully engaged in fire, said UFA Capt. Brad Taylor. Crews got the flames out in about 15 minutes.

The blaze destroyed the house, leaving around $100,000 in damages, said Taylor. The structure had been vacant for three or four years but had been a shelter for vagrants, local police told fire officials.

Crews found a downed power line at the scene. The investigation continued Saturday, but the inferno's cause may never be discovered, Taylor said.

— Josh Smith and Rebecca Palmer