This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
A blaze that gutted a West Valley City apartment building on Wednesday afternoon was caused by a man lighting fire to cotton-like seeds from cottonwood trees that were on the ground, authorities said Thursday.
Police spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku said Thursday that the seed fire flashed, and the flames spread to the building at 4533 S. Dean Drive (3825 West).
The man initially was detained and questioned, then released, and Vainuku said charges will be screened in the case.
She said the building's landlord will not face charges related to the lack of working smoke detectors in the building because residents likely had either disabled them or failed to replace the batteries, which is a resident responsibility.
The four-unit building was a total loss, displacing 28 residents in all. One of those residents, a man, was treated for scrapes and bruises after jumping from a second-floor window to escape the flames; several others were treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation.
The Utah Red Cross was assisting those displaced with food, clothing and shelter.
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