MILLCREEK, Utah — At least two dozen apartments have been destroyed in a large fire in Millcreek that was started by a Salt Lake City Public Utilities worker who was mowing city land on Friday afternoon.
The 79 people displaced will be unable to return to their homes until at least tomorrow morning while officials inspect the structure to ensure it is safe to return.
Unified Fire was checking to make sure everyone who lived in the two buildings at Willow Glen Apartments that caught fire near 1300 East and 4800 South was able to safely evacuate.
WATCH: Officials give update on fire in video below:
The 24 units burned in the fire are the minimum affected, and there could be more.
Four firefighters were reported to have minor injuries, crews will continue monitoring the area overnight for any possible flare ups due to the winds.
During a briefing on the fire, the Unified Fire official described the fire as "huge," adding that he hadn't seen a fire this big and needing so many command areas. Over 100 firefighters are at the scene, and the cause of the fire is undetermined.
Raw drone video below shows devastation of Millcreek fire:
Unified Fire originally said it was a man using a lawnmower. Salt Lake City Public Utilities told FOX 13 News it was investigating if the fire originated on land it owned where an artesian spring is located and if a worker was mowing dry grass in an effort to prevent wildfires.
"That’s part of our maintenance, make sure there are no clumps of combustibles around. So we were out there, sounds like we were out there cleaning that up just for maintenance, just accumulation of the combustible materials," Salt Lake City Public Utilities Deputy Director Jason Brown told FOX 13 News reporter Ben Winslow. "It’s possible but unknown at this time."
Video below from a Holladay resident shows large fire burning:
In one video shared with FOX 13 News, fire officials could be heard yelling at residents to get out of the area immediately.
"Our thoughts are with those who have been displaced by this tragedy," said Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini.
Heavy smoke, flames seen in video below from Holladay fire:
An evacuation center staffed by the American Red Cross has been opened at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1250 East and 4800 South.
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