Yesterday, at around 11:05 am in Lehi, Utah, a large fire began to decimate a large apartment complex under construction around the Traverse Mountain Area of Lehi. Videos of aerial shots showed the sheer stature of the flames and smoke, which could be seen for miles at the Point of the Mountain along the North Windscape Drive beside Interstate 15. 

Collectively, three buildings in the recent housing development burned down. Two apartment buildings and a clubhouse were engulfed in the flames. Fox 13 gained information from James Wilson, representing the Wood Partners as a senior superintendent for the “Alta Vista” project, stating there were going to be 304 apartments built. He said there is 24/7 security at the site monitoring commotion with cameras, adding he’s “at a loss” as to how it could have started. 

“My security guard said he had just made a round around the building and there was absolutely nothing,” Wilson uttered. “He got to the other end of the site, turned around and looked back, and he said he saw smoke and the flames starting.” He also noted that no major heat sources were involved in the construction, starting simply at the framing process. 

The fire was handled orderly without any injuries reported— there was no public threat. Fire officials said they’ll continue serving the area as a hot spot bubble as days continue. An investigation has followed suit to locate the causation. Lehi Fire Chief Jeremy Craft said it’s a large rubble pile that will take an expected 4-5 days to sift through to find the origin. They plan to use scent-trained dogs to detect possible arson. Craft also stated two cranes became unstable based on the fire with additional help of a larger crane being brought in to assist in safely moving them. 

This raises questions on regulations for increasing housing production, which could lead to potential dangers and hazards especially in Utah County as the population’s need for development persists.