Emergency crews responded to a major four-alarm fire at the North Union Apartments in Midvale, Utah, on Friday morning, forcing the evacuation of residents as firefighters battled flames and heavy smoke that spread through the multi-story building.
According to authorities, the fire was reported shortly before 8:00 a.m. at the apartment complex located at 942 East North Union Avenue. Initial reports indicated smoke coming from the roof of the building. When firefighters arrived, they observed heavy smoke but no visible flames. Within a short time, however, the fire intensified, with flames breaking through the fourth floor and thick smoke pouring from the structure.
As the blaze escalated, fire officials upgraded the response to a four-alarm incident, bringing additional crews and specialized equipment to the scene. Firefighters worked aggressively to contain the fire while searching the building and protecting nearby apartments from further damage.
Authorities ordered a full evacuation of the apartment complex as a precaution. Residents were instructed to leave immediately and seek temporary shelter at Hillcrest High School, where emergency officials established a reunification and assistance center.
One resident told local media that the building’s fire alarm woke them early Friday morning.
“I just woke up to the really loud fire alarm. Literally just grabbed my cats and left,” the resident said. “You always think it’s probably not real, but I felt like I smelled a faint smell of smoke in the stairs.”
As of approximately 10:30 a.m., firefighters continued battling the blaze, with portions of the building still actively burning. Officials confirmed that one firefighter sustained injuries while responding to the incident and was treated at the scene. No information regarding the severity of those injuries has been released.
Preliminary reports indicate the fire may have originated in a trash chute, though investigators have not yet confirmed the official cause. Fire investigators will conduct a thorough examination once the building is declared safe.
Authorities continue to ask the public to avoid the area while firefighting operations and the investigation remain ongoing. Additional information regarding the cause of the fire, the extent of the damage, and the condition of displaced residents is expected to be released as it becomes available.