Investigation underway after fire destroys historic Utah church

Ashley Fredde, KSL.com

SALT LAKE CITY (KSL.com) — A historical Sugar House religion slated for demolition was heavy damaged by occurrence early Sunday, contempt nan champion efforts of Salt Lake City firefighters.

About 5:30 a.m., constabulary and occurrence crews arrived astatine 1990 South 500 East and recovered nan Wells Ward meetinghouse afloat engulfed successful flames. Upon exiting their vehicles, firefighters heard screaming and “encountered 2 adults up connected nan pavilion of nan building connected nan eastbound broadside of it,” said Salt Lake Fire Capt. Brandt Handcuff.

Firefighters were capable to rescue nan 2 young adults, who were treated for insignificant fume inhalation and released astatine nan scene.

The historical Wells Ward meetinghouse astatine 1990 South 500 East successful Salt Lake City was destroyed by occurrence early Sunday. The Latter-day Saint religion was not successful use, and slated for demolition, but an investigation is underway to find nan origin of nan fire. | Courtesy Salt Lake City Police Department via KSL.com

Responding crews escalated nan call, bringing successful further crews from nan South Salt Lake Fire Department, South Metro Davis Fire and Unified Fire Authority. Four occurrence trucks, 12 occurrence engines and astir 85 firefighters responded to nan scene, Brandt said. The occurrence and consequence prompted roadworthy closures astatine 500 East from 2100 South to 1700 South.

By 5:40 a.m., portion of nan building had collapsed and organization members were urged to support their doors and windows closed arsenic nan occurrence produced dense smoke. By 7 a.m., nan flames had been reduced to conscionable pockets of occurrence wrong nan building, according to Salt Lake police. Gold Cross and Rocky Mountain Power besides responded to nan scene, and occurrence crews continued moving to protect adjacent homes.

The spot has been vacant for rather immoderate clip pinch trespassing connected nan spot becoming an rumor for Salt Lake police, according to Handcuff.

The astir century-old Latter-Day Saint meetinghouse was severely damaged successful nan 2020 earthquake and has been group for demolition. The Liberty Wells Community Council had expressed hopes earlier this twelvemonth that nan spot would beryllium rezoned for single-family homes.

“It was uninhabitable aft nan earthquake truthful they were going to demolish it. It’s been gated disconnected for rather a while now,” said Handcuff. “But it was slated for demolition really wrong nan coming weeks, truthful this will conscionable velocity up that process, arsenic we’re going to person to demolish it truthful that we tin proceed to get those basking spots out.”

The origin of nan occurrence is nether investigation, pinch investigators asking anyone pinch information, video aliases pictures earlier nan occurrence started to telephone non-emergency dispatchers astatine 801-799-3000.

Contributing: Brianna Chavez

The Wells Ward religion building glows pinch nan occurrence early Sunday greeting . | Courtesy Salt Lake City Police Department