South Salt Lake home destroyed in fire

SOUTH SALT LAKE — Two people are safe, along with their two dogs, after a fire destroyed their home Wednesday. 

When fire crews received reports of the fire about noon Wednesday, they heard two people and their pets might be trapped inside. They arrived to find that the man who was home had safely evacuated his sister from the building, then gone back inside to successfully rescue the two dogs, said South Salt Lake Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Bowman.

"We definitely don't recommend that, but it's hard to say what to do and what not to do when you're worried about your life's safety or your animals or some of your property," he said. "With as much fire and smoke as we had going here, it's definitely very risky."

No one was injured in the blaze.

Damage from the fire, which at times engulfed up to 80 percent of the house and carport, is estimated between $80,000 and $100,000 and the home is likely a "total loss," Bowman said. Four vehicles were also damaged by flames or heat.

Bowman said it appears the fire may have started outside the home in the shed or carport. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Four people lived in the home, Bowman said. The Utah Red Cross provided them a place to stay Wednesday.

— McKenzie Romero

Twitter: McKenzieRomero