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Ogden fire damage estimated at $3.1 million after homes, businesses destroyed

Posted at 11:31 PM, Jun 28, 2021
and last updated 2021-06-29 17:30:21-04

OGDEN, Utah — Officials say they have multiple people they're interested in speaking with, but no suspects, after several Ogden homes and businesses were destroyed in a massive four-alarm fire.

PHOTOS: Massive multi-structure fire in Ogden

Early Tuesday, FOX 13 saw police taking a woman into custody with handcuffs. She was originally described as a person of interest by fire officials, but was eventually released.

Person of Interest Ogden Fire
Ogden police handcuff a woman they say is a person of interest in fire that destroyed homes and construction site

A total of five nearby houses are considered a complete loss following the fire at 28th Street and Grant Avenue. The American Red Cross of Utah is providing assistance to those affected. Four businesses close sustained heavy fire damage.

WATCH: 'It's all gone:' Residents lose everything in Ogden fire

Officials say the damages caused by the fire could run as high as $3 million. Nearly 80 firefighters from seven agencies were called to battle the historic blaze that also damaged fire vehicles, according to officials.

"It's the most firefighters we've asked for in recent years in any fire within Ogden City," said Ogden Fire Chief Mike Mathieu.

In the video below,Ogden Fire Chief Mike Mathieu describes what made the fire so difficult to fight.

Ogden chief describes devastation of fire

Two people were originally unaccounted for following the fire, but Ogden police later said that no one was believed to be missing. No one was seriously injured in the fire, although some neighborhood residents were taken to the hospital due to smoke inhalation.

WATCH: Businesses clean-up after Ogden fire damages buildings

The fire was first reported around 10:30 p.m. at the three-story, wood-framed complex under construction. It then spread as a four-alarm fire to nearby homes and one vehicle, leading to residents being evacuated.

(WARNING: The video below contains language that some may not find appropriate.)

Massive multi-structure fire burning in Ogden (Language warning)

At least two smaller fires have also started: One within about a block of the main fire, and another about two miles away near 17th Street and Wall Avenue.

Ogden fire destroys homes, construction site

The heat from the fire was so great, about 10 cars at a nearby used car location were burned. Photos from Hertz Used Car Sales showed vehicles with their plastic tail lights completely melted and other structural damage.

Heat from Ogden fire damages car dealership

Earlier Monday, another structure fire was reported in the same area. Officials said an abandoned building near 29th and Washington caught fire around 3:40 p.m., but was quickly put out. Damages from the earlier fire are estimated at $250,000.

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Fire crews responded to a burning abandoned house near 29th Street and Washington Blvd. in Ogden Monday afternoon.

A five-alarm fire broke out Monday morning at a Salt Lake City apartment building, reportedly one without a central fire alarm system. Residents said they had to knock on neighbors' doors to alert them.

It's also just under two weeks after another apartment complex under construction in Millcreek caught fire, causing millions of dollars in damage to the building in process as well as neighboring businesses.