SALT LAKE CITY — A young boy died after he was burned by a fire in a Salt Lake City alleyway.
Around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, police and fire crews were dispatched to an alley behind a home on Gillespie Avenue, in the Poplar Grove area of the city.
Two young boys were involved, and one of them suffered critical burns. Officials could not give the children's ages but said they were pre-teens.
Paramedics immediately took the boy to Primary Children's Hospital, but he was later pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the fire. Firefighters put out the flames with the help of at least one citizen, according to SLC Police.
Police say there were adults in the area, but none were in the alley with the kids when the fire broke out.
SLCPD has been assisting the SLC Fire Department in the investigation, and they confirmed Sunday that the boys were playing with matches, as well as some type of fuel and accelerant. They believe the fire that caused the fatal injuries was just a tragic accident.
The boy's name has not been released.
