A fast-moving fire of suspicious origin heavily damaged 20 units of a Taylorsville apartment complex early Friday, but residents escaped injury, in part because of a passer-by who awakened residents.
The two-alarm blaze was called in to public safety dispatchers at 2:43 a.m. from the Thornhill Apartments' building No. 10, 1680 Thornhill Dr. (5620 South), by a passing driver, identified as Jeffery Allen, who spotted the flames from Interstate 215. He exited, drove to the complex and, assisted by residents, knocked on doors — in a couple cases, kicking them down — to rouse the sleeping occupants.
"Everyone was evacuated safely and we had no injuries," Unified Fire Authority spokesman Dave Ulilbarri said.
He said 20 families — 50 people in all — were left homeless by the fire. The Utah Red Cross was assisting them with shelter, food and clothing.
The fire destroyed 10 units and caused extensive smoke and water damage to 10 more. Ulilbarri said damages had been estimated at more than $1.5 million.
The blaze was fought by 70 firefighters from UFA and several neighboring municipal fire departments, Ulilbarri said.
Arson investigators combed through the ashes and debris for clues but did not immediately determine a cause for the fire.
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