This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
South Salt Lake police on Tuesday were seeking four teens in connection with an arson fire that gutted part of an abandoned apartment complex and injured two firefighters.
Police spokesman Gary Keller said the suspects — described as three boys and one girl, ages 15 to 19 — were seen by multiple witnesses fleeing from the scene at 3060 S. 351 East about 3:20 p.m. Monday.
"That was about 20 minutes before the alarm came in. We arrived to find the building totally involved [in fire]," Keller said. "It definitely appeared to be intentionally set."
The two-story, eight-unit building was one of three on the property, now owned by South Salt Lake. The structures — vacant and fenced off — are marked for demolition.
Keller said the blaze was so hot that "radiant heat" from the flames overwhelmed the protective clothing of two firefighters. One suffered burns to a hand that were treated at the scene; another was taken to the hospital for treatment of burns to an arm and leg.
Neighbors told investigators that they saw the teens, who had apparently breached the security fencing, running from the burned building shortly before it erupted in flames. One of the males was wearing a red cap and black sweatshirt; another wore a maroon sweatshirt with gray sweatpants.
Keller said anyone with information about the fire or teens is urged to call SSLPD at 801-840-4000.
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