Ogden, Utah — In the span of just two weeks, two separate construction site fires have sparked concern in Utah, with one fire now under investigation in Provo.
The latest fire occurred near 1600 South State Street, raising alarms after a similar incident took place in Ogden in January. In that case, a teenager was charged with arson for setting a fire at a construction site. The Provo fire, however, remains under investigation, and the cause has yet to be determined.
State Fire Marshal Ted Black noted that while these types of fires are rare, an increase in construction projects presents more opportunities for fires to ignite. Black explained that modern multi-story wood-framed structures, which have become more common in recent years, are particularly vulnerable. He likened the construction sites to campfires due to the large amounts of vertical wood and oxygen present, which can cause fires to spread quickly.
“The development of these buildings is inherently risky, especially when combustible materials are involved,” Black said. “We do what we can to mitigate the dangers, but there is always an element of risk.”
Captain Jeanie Atherton of the Provo Fire Department explained that the buildings under construction often lack mandatory security measures like fencing. She pointed out that, by building code, construction sites are not required to implement specific safety measures to prevent arson or accidental fires. Instead, it is up to the property owner, developer, or construction company to decide what precautions are necessary.
“It is the responsibility of the property owners and developers to ensure their projects are properly secured,” said Atherton. “Given the recent incidents, this is definitely something they should reconsider when it comes to safety.”
The investigation into the Provo fire is ongoing, with officials working to determine its origin and cause. State Fire Marshal Black emphasized the importance of understanding the cause of the fire, as it would provide valuable insight into how to prevent future incidents.
“The benefit of determining the origin and cause of a fire is that we can take steps in the future to prevent similar events from happening again,” Black said.
While the cause of the fire remains unknown, authorities warn that further investigation could take weeks, or even months, to reach a conclusion. As these fires raise concerns about construction site safety, there may be more pressure on developers and property owners to reassess their security measures and ensure that proper precautions are in place.
In the meantime, both the Provo and Ogden fires continue to highlight the risks that come with large-scale construction projects, leaving authorities and the community hoping for answers in the coming weeks.