Fire started by lightning threatens homes near Herriman

HERRIMAN — Fire crews acted fast to knock out a fire burning near Butterfield Canyon in southwest Salt Lake County, but not before flames came dangerously close to homes.

A barn or shed was destroyed in the blaze that began about 3 p.m. Wednesday. Vehicles and a boat on the same property were also damaged.

Nine homes were threatened by the fire, and most of those homes suffered "radiant heat damage," said Unified Fire Authority Capt. Cliff Burningham.

The fire was mostly extinguished by 6:30 p.m.

It appears that a lightning strike started the fire near the Hi Country Estates neighborhood, 13775 S. 7530 West, and it quickly grew.

Ann White said her property lies adjacent to where the shed was destroyed. Her husband was outside working when the fire started, and the lightning strike missed him by only 30 or 40 feet.

"He was working on a well, and it blew him out of the hole," White said.

Homeowner Robin Bunker said she was driving home on the freeway when a neighbor called her to inform her that the fire was near her home. Bunker went to a nearby school to pick up her children, but she was worried about her horses and dogs at home.

"You feel like you're punched in the stomach," said Bunker, who has lived in the neighborhood for five years. "You never really worry about your home until it could be taken away."

At least 20 homes were under voluntary evacuation in an area of 100 acres. The fire burned a smaller area enclosed by a cluster of structures.

An airplane was also dispatched to aid firefighters battling the blaze.

E-mail: benwood@desnews.com, vvo-duc@ksl.com