An electrical short sparked a fire that destroyed two family businesses Friday night, Salt Lake fire investigators say. The fire, which burned for more than 2 1/2 hours, caused more than $250,000 damage to Condie Candy Co., 1489 S. Main, and the adjacent Benson's Trophies and Frames, 1479 S. Main, according to a Salt Lake fire department press release.
The blaze started in the back room of the candy store about 8:45 p.m. and quickly spread throughout the building. When firefighters arrived, they found thick black smoke billowing from the roof and flames shooting out the windows.Despite firefighters' efforts to contain the fire, it spread north and began burning the trophy shop, which was eventually gutted.
Meanwhile, fire crews used a ladder truck to attack the fire from above. When the candy store's roof collapsed, crews scrambled to prevent the fire from reaching a nearby tree.
Another fire crew took up position at The Mattress Shop, an adjacent building scheduled to open Nov. 9, to protect it.