A kerosene heater being used on the roof of a greenhouse to melt snow may have started a fire that destroyed the building and closed the northbound lanes of 700 East for about 45 minutes Saturday afternoon.
Gray Floral Co. owner John Hermansen said he was in his home behind the greenhouse when his son told him his business at 1855 S. 700 East was on fire.Hermansen said he tried to fight the fire with a hose but was overcome by the heat and smoke.
"The smoke just got too thick, and I got out," he said as he watched firefighters douse the last of the smoldering framework. He told firefighters he thought the heater had started the fire.
"I thought I'd shut the heaters off, but apparently one had fallen," he said. Hermansen said he would wait until the smoke cleared and then assess the damage.
Battalion Chief Steve Higgs, responding to the fire from the Salt Lake International Airport, said he saw a column of black smoke more than 10 miles away and called for another engine and a hazardous materials crew.
When firefighters arrived at 1:33 p.m., the greenhouse was engulfed in flames and the fire was quickly spreading to nearby greenhouses, Andrus said. It took 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control, and all northbound lanes on 700 East were closed for more than 45 minutes, he said.
Firefighters were worried combustible or toxic material was stored in the structure, but no one was injured or evacuated, he said.
A fallen power line cut power to the area, Andrus said.
Hermansen said he's insured but doesn't know how much of the damage will be covered. He estimated the damage at $15,000.