Fire guts Salt Lake condo building

While she did not save the condominium building she manages near the University of Utah, she may have saved the lives of some of its residents.

Linda Block was one of the first to spot a fire that erupted in Building A at Incline Terrace, 1044 E. 400 South, early Saturday morning — and she immediately began trying to knock it down on the sixth floor.

At the same time, Block and another resident banged on doors throughout the floor, getting residents out as the fire spread to the attic.

Eventually, the fire damaged all 39 units in the building and displaced 80 people. But there were no injuries.

A smoldering cigarette in a plastic container is blamed for starting the four-alarm fire at about 12:15 a.m. Saturday, said Salt Lake City fire spokesman Scott Freitag. Investigators believe the fire was accidental and do not expect to file any charges.

The damage was extensive, and the building has been condemned by Salt Lake City building officials. It could be days before residents are allowed to return to retrieve belongings — although firefighters on Saturday did escort residents who needed to look for pets or get necessities, such as wallets and medicine — and months before it is suitable for occupancy.

"There are 80 people homeless for the holidays because of this," said Block, the property manager for Incline Terrace's homeowners association.

Most of the people were able to find somewhere to stay Friday and Saturday nights. By late Saturday, those who had been staying at a disaster relief shelter opened by the American Red Cross at a neighboring LDS Church building, 453 S. 1100 East, were able to find a place to stay.

The Red Cross served breakfast Saturday morning to displaced residents and firefighters who worked for hours to put out the blaze, said Susan Thomas, a Red Cross spokeswoman.

"Many of these people have lost everything they have," said Jo-Lynn Hatch, a Red Cross volunteer.

Among those who lost almost everything were Isaac McDougall and his wife, Bonnie, who have lived at Incline Terrace for nine years. When the fire started, they grabbed one cat, Mr. Tig, but couldn't persuade their small gray cat, Willow, to come with them.

"I'm still in shock," Isaac McDougall said as he loaded plastic containers of clothing into a friend's pickup. "I just grabbed things as fast as I could."

Residents are expected to receive their security deposits back so they'll have some cash toward finding a new place to live, apartment managers said.