Over 100 firefighters battled a 4-alarm fire in Salt Lake City on Friday night. The fire started on the sixth floor of the Incline Terrace apartments, near 1000 East 400 South.
No one was hurt during the fire. Firefighters had to evacuate 80 people from about 40 apartments.
The building was heavily damaged. Most fire damage was limited to the top floor of the six story building. Lower floors received smoke and water damage. Fire officials will not allow anyone to live in the lower apartments until they can be cleaned. According to fire officials most displaced residents will stay with family or friends. The Red Cross says fifteen people stayed at their temporary shelter, and will also be accomodated Saturday night.
Fire officials describe a challenging environment while battling this particular fire. The apartment complex is located on a steeply inclined plot of land. This challenge combined with the height of the fire increased the difficulty. Officials also say swift winds from the incoming storm fueled the fire.
Fire officials estimate 1.5 million dollars in damage to the building. Officials have determined that an unextinguished cigarette started the fire. However officials are ruling the fire accidental and will not press charges. They say the high winds blew the partially lit cigarette out of a makeshift ashtray. The cigarette then ignited some other flammable materials and from there the fire grew.
