Fire threatens multiple buildings, causes road closures in downtown SLC

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Crews are actively responding to a structure fire on Main Street near 300 South in Salt Lake City.

According to Salt Lake City Fire Department (SLCFD), a structure fire is blazing at 321 S Main Street in Salt Lake City. The call came in around 8:40 p.m. and was quickly updated to a second alarm fire, meaning that they have called additional resources to the scene and are using mutual aid from other agencies. The fire was later upgraded to a third-alarm fire.

All buildings within the area have been evacuated. This includes the building at 321 S Main Street, which initially caught fire, and several adjacent buildings, all of which are multiple stories.

Several of the evacuated buildings are called ‘taxpayer buildings’, which have commercial businesses on the bottom floors and residential apartments on the higher levels. Fortunately, SLCFD says all citizens are evacuated for.

Bob Silverthorne, a Battalion Chief with the Salt Lake City Fire Department, said that crews are taking a defensive position. The main building had some structural collapse within the interior, so firefighters were pulled out of the building.

Battalion Chief Silverthorne also said that many of the buildings in the area are commercial, and that this fire has affected several businesses. Surrounding businesses that were not affected by the fire will still likely be closed for the next few days, due to smoke damage.

Approximately 60-70 firefighters are on scene, along with mutual agencies. No civilians reported being injured. One firefighter was reportedly injured, but his injuries were minor. He was transported to the hospital.

Battalion Chief Silverthorne said the fire’s impact on local businesses was not lost on the firefighters, including any historical legacy. He said, “It’s terrible that businesses are affected and those folks that live in Salt Lake City. We try to do our best to maintain the integrity of what we can and minimize the damage from going to other buildings.”

Even those who may not be affected by the fire should be cautious in the area. “We’re kind of in a hazardous situation,” said Silverthorne, “If you can, stay inside your home, close all your doors, and all your windows. Maybe even turn off your HVAC.”

At this time, the Trax line in the area has been shut down. Additionally, road closures are in place at 300 S and Main westbound and 300 S at West Temple eastbound. 400 S is open both ways. SLCFD is currently asking individuals to avoid all of downtown.

It is not yet clear when those roads will reopen, but Chief Silverthorne urges the public to avoid the area for the rest of the night and into tomorrow.