Crews respond to fire incident near Fear Factory, smoke seen in area

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Fire crews are responding to a fire incident near the haunted house Fear Factory, and smoke could be seen coming from the area.

According to Salt Lake City Fire Department, they are working the incident, which they described as evolving. They also said that crews are working aggressively at the firefight.

Jared Schreiner, with the Salt Lake City Fire Department, said they received multiple calls near the area of Fear factory around 7:45 p.m., and arrived to see extensive flames on trees that threatened a structure on the Fear Factory property.

Due to the heat and proximity to the Fear Factory structures, officials did initially call a second alarm, which requires more resources. However, they were able to put out the fire, before any main structures were threatened.

SLCFD also said that traffic was affected, and the public should use alternate routes of transportation in order to avoid the area. 800 S was closed for a while as they de-escalated the incident but is now open.

At 8:15 p.m., SLCFD reported that the fire is under control, and crews are working toward what they call a “loss stopped.” The fire did not spread to any buildings, and there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.

Rail lines were briefly closed as crews worked on the fire, but they have reopened, according to Utah Transit Authority. There was a bus bridge for Frontrunner trains from Murray Central and Salt Lake Central, and there were systemwide Frontrunner delays.

Additionally, there were three employees on the Fear Factory facility, all of which were accounted for and safely removed.

Crews are still on scene to do overhaul and mop up. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Fire investigators are on scene and working to determine how it started.

In regard to the increased fire threat surrounding Pioneer Day fireworks, Schreiner said, “Given the circumstances of the holiday, we are upstaffing our apparatus and personnel tomorrow.”