Fire prompts Salt Lake City to beef up patrols

SOUTH SALT LAKE — Fire officials say they will beef up patrols around abandoned structures following a fire Monday night that sent two transients to the hospital.

Just after 11 p.m., a passer-by called 911 after spotting a fire at a vacant warehouse near 3300 South and 300 West.

"Upon arrival there was heavy smoke and fire showing. We called for a second alarm," said South Salt Lake Fire Chief Steve Foote.

The 9,000-square-foot building was fully involved, he said. Outside the building were two transients with first- and second-degree burns on their upper bodies. Investigators discovered the two men were inside the building trying to stay warm by lighting a tin can filled with motor oil. The can was knocked over, however, and the area quickly went up in flames.

"All wood construction … it was a highly combustible building," Foote said.

The transients initially tried to put the fire out, but were able to safely evacuate. Foote said the building went up so fast, he's not sure what the outcome of the situation would have been if firefighters would have had to go in and get the men.

The transients were taken to a local hospital in stable conditions and were expected to be released Tuesday. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in about 90 minutes.

Because that area is undergoing significant redevelopment, Foote said, there has been an increased problem of transients, who typically live along the Jordan River, seeking vacant buildings to stay warm.

Foote said patrols of those areas would be stepped up.

— Pat Reavy