From Deseret News archives:
Fire guts West Valley apartment
The fire started just before 9 a.m. near 4000 South and 1500 West. One of the apartment managers called 911 after seeing smoke coming from an upstairs bedroom window.
"There were big flames coming out of the bedroom of their daughter," said Marina Palmer, one of the apartment complex's vice presidents.
A West Valley police officer happened to be close to the apartment and joined another apartment manager in knocking on doors and windows to alert tenants.
"He said to me I need to get my animals and get everything out," said tenant Alan Eatchel, who evacuated with his wife and cat safely from the building next door.
One woman was home in the apartment that was burning, but she was in the garage, unaware that her apartment was on fire, said West Valley Assistant Fire Chief Kris Romijn.
"The cop started screaming and yelling. She didn't know it was on fire," said Palmer.
After finally getting the woman to come to the door, she was led safely out of the apartment as were two others in the four-plex. There were no injuries, Romijn said. Some residents grabbed as many clothes and personal possessions as they could carry.
Two bedrooms in the upstairs part of the apartment were gutted by the fire and considered complete losses, Romijn said. Damage was estimated at more than $50,000.
The cause of the fire was believed to be an unattended candle. The woman who was in the apartment that caught fire said her 12-year-old daughter asked her for a lighter about 7 a.m. for a candle, Romijn said.
Apartment managers said the mother and her three children will be relocated to a vacant apartment.
E-MAIL: preavy@desnews.com
