Man playing with fire sparked WVC blaze that displaced dozens, officials say

Man playing with fire sparked WVC blaze that displaced dozens, officials say

(Chelsey Allder/Deseret News/File)


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WEST VALLEY CITY — A fire that displaced 28 people and destroyed a fourplex Wednesday was the result of carelessness, fire officials say.

The blaze at 4533 Dean Drive was started by a man who “was playing with fire in a way that he shouldn’t have been doing,” said West Valley Fire Battalion Chief Bob Fitzgerald.

"The individual was upfront with us and told us right away that he had caused the fire, so we were able to rule out foul play as far as anything suspicious,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald declined to release specifics about what the man was doing when the fire started. The fire department has said the case is being screened for possible charges related to the man’s alleged negligence.


The individual was upfront with us and told us right away that he had caused the fire, so we were able to rule out foul play as far as anything suspicious.

–Fire Battalion Chief Bob Fitzgerald


One person was hospitalized with minor injuries after jumping out of the complex to avoid the fire Wednesday afternoon. Several police officers who helped residents evacuate were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

The complex was a total loss, with the fire causing about $250,000 to $300,000 in damage, Fitzgerald said.

The American Red Cross was dispatched to assist those who were displaced by the fire.

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