Tire fire damages West Jordan business

WEST JORDAN — Investigators believe arson caused a large fire early Wednesday in a semitrailer used for storing old tires.

About 1:45 a.m., crews were called to Big O Tires, near 3100 West and 7800 South. A trailer where staff stored used tires prior to removing them to a recycling company had been set on fire in a fenced-off area, said West Jordan Fire Battalion Chief Rodger Broome.

How the fire was set was still being investigated Wednesday.

Crews used "a lot of water" to put out the hot-burning blaze, he said. Tires put out a lot of heat when they burn, Broome said, but they are also difficult to ignite, which was part of the reason arson was suspected almost immediately.

It took firefighters about 35 minutes to put out the fire.

The fenced-off area has had problems with "persistent vandalism and trespassing" recently, Broome said. The tire company owner thought juveniles might be responsible, he said.

Damage was estimated at $50,000. A couple of air compressors also were damaged, but Broome said Big O was expected to open for business Wednesday.

No one was injured in the incident, and the search continued Wednesday for the person, or people, responsible.

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