Developers suspicious after Orem home scheduled for demolition burns down

OREM — After an Orem home was scheduled for demolition, a fire burned it down Tuesday evening. New details are emerging in the case, and some believe the fire's origin was suspicious.

The fire completely destroyed the house, everything inside and some of the surrounding trees and construction equipment. Viewers shared video of the large flames and smoke burning in the old, wooded area of the city. The footage shows Orem firefighters as they worked to extinguish the flames with a large amount of water.

The area is planned to be used for 14 new homes in a development called Acadia Heights. The demolition phase is currently underway, and crews had been working to remove some of the trees and the older home before it caught fire.

The developer, Eric Guerra, with Diamond Tree Experts, said he had an odd conversation Tuesday night just before he left the area. He said someone came up to the property and asked what was going to happen to the house. He said 30 minutes later, he got a call saying the property was on fire. He and some of the demolition crew think it wasn't a coincidence.

"You never know with new development. Sometimes people don't like that, you know, new things going into their backyard. So that's an option, something to look at," Guerra said. "We're just not sure at this point."

The demolition crew said it's fortunate the fire didn't catch more of the surrounding trees on fire or several nearby homes where the existing neighborhood ends.

KSL-TV has contacted the Orem Fire Department and did not hear back at the time of publication.

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