SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — One firefighter was hurt after a fire broke out in century-old buildings in Salt Lake City’s nightlife hub, officials said.
The firefighter was taken to a hospital with minor injuries after the Monday night blaze, the Salt Lake City Fire Department said. The fire affected several businesses, and about 60 firefighters were on the scene.
Crews were pulled out of the building and were battling the blaze from outside because part of the building collapsed, Salt Lake City Fire Department Division Chief Bob Silverthorne said at a briefing. Buildings in the area were cleared, he said.
The cause of the fire was under investigation, Silverthorne said.
The fire destroyed buildings that date back to 1920 and are “home to beloved local businesses and gathering places that bring life, culture, and connection to our community,” the Downtown Alliance said in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the effects will “ripple far beyond the walls of the impacted property.” The alliance, which represents 2,500 businesses and property owners in the central business district, said property owners have said that they intend to rebuild.
“This commitment gives us hope as we look toward restoring the vitality of this block,” the alliance said.
The alliance thanked first responders who contained the fire, protected nearby buildings and made sure customers and employees evacuated safely.
The smell of smoke lingered in the air on Tuesday morning.
People in the area should stay inside and close all windows and doors, Silverthorne said. Roads in the area were closed for a time, and the fire department asked people on Monday night to avoid downtown.
