LEHI, Utah — What began as a quiet Sunday morning of worship quickly turned into chaos for residents of a Lehi neighborhood as flames tore through an under-construction apartment complex nearby. Over 24 hours later, firefighters were still working to extinguish stubborn hot spots from what city officials called one of the largest fires in recent memory.
The Lehi City Fire Department reported that a full investigation into the blaze’s cause can’t begin until the remaining hot spots are completely out and the heavily damaged cranes at the construction site are safely dismantled.
For Dave Stevens, who lives just a few streets away, the experience was surreal. He recalled how he and several of his neighbors were sitting in church when someone received a text alert about a fire in the area. Within minutes, the congregation emptied.
“Somebody got a text that there was a big fire in the area, so then we all left,” Stevens said. “Everyone rushed out because we were worried it might be on our street or near our homes.”
The scene outside was filled with smoke and confusion. Many residents ran to check on their families and pets while others watched anxiously as fire crews battled the towering flames. “The bishop didn’t know what to do because church was just about to start,” Stevens added. “They did start church, but it was a skeleton crew. Most of us went to make sure everything was okay.”
Diego Alfaro, who also lives nearby, said he didn’t realize what was happening until his neighbor called him to look outside. “At first, I didn’t even notice,” he said. “But when I saw it, I thought, ‘Whoa! That’s pretty impressive!’”
Though the blaze never reached their homes, Alfaro and others spent the rest of the morning on alert, watching the flames and feeling the heat from blocks away. “We stayed at home because we wanted to make sure it didn’t spread,” he said. “Everyone was shaken up. You could feel the heat even from where we were.”
Stevens said that once he confirmed his home was safe, his focus was on what truly mattered. “We had our people, we had our dog, and that’s what was important to us,” he said.
As of Monday evening, city officials said it could take several more days before investigators can determine what sparked the fire or estimate the extent of the financial damage.
Residents have praised the quick response from Lehi City Fire Department and other assisting agencies for preventing the fire from spreading to nearby homes. Authorities are expected to release more details once the site is deemed safe for inspection.
For updates on fire investigations and safety protocols in Utah, visit the Utah Department of Public Safety.
