LINDON — Mike Anderson just shook his head as he watched firefighters douse the remnants of his smoldering barn.
"I don't get it," he said, "but we'll be all right. Nothing was seriously hurt. We'll just clean it up."
Anderson's barn at 455 E. 200 North went up in flames just after 1 p.m. Thursday, reminding the longtime Lindon resident of a fire that burned his home nearly 10 years ago.
"The smoke is bringing back memories," said DeAnn Anderson as she sat in the kitchen, watching the ashy clouds waft past the windows.
The family went on vacation in July 1998 and returned to find their home had been gutted by fire. The family cleared everything out and started again, moving in just eight weeks later, thanks to the help of family and friends.
And now the couple, who had just recently paid the last bill for the home remodel from the fire, will have to start rebuilding another piece of their lives.
"I know what I'm in for," DeAnn Anderson said. "I know exactly what we're going to have to go through."
Neighbors gathered on the sidewalk to watch Pleasant Grove and Orem firefighters douse the brick and wood barn that no longer has a roof or several walls.
The fire is believed to have started when Mike Anderson, who had been using a grinder, set the machine down and went to answer the phone.
A nearby pile of sawdust somehow ignited, said Pleasant Grove fire marshal Steven Brande, and the small fire swallowed three recently filled gas cans, which propelled the fire into a huge blaze.
Anderson tried to move the cans but then realized the fire was on the cans, so he ran out of the building and tried to hold water on it until the fire department arrived. No one was injured.
About 25 firefighters fought the fire from outside because of continual mini-explosions inside. Mike Anderson said about a half-dozen aerosol cans caused the pops.
The family was concerned that it took the fire department more than 15 minutes to get to the home. However, Brande said based on the nature of the fire and its accelerants, it wouldn't have made much of a difference.
Weather wasn't much of a factor, but the hotter the weather, the faster a fire generally burns, Brande said.
Anderson wasn't negligent, Brande said, but the fire is a reminder to always be safe when using equipment that could throw sparks.
Anderson said that, based on the tools and supplies inside the barn, plus the structure itself, he's looking at a $300,000 loss. He has insurance, but it only covers about half that amount.
But he's not daunted. He just said he'll pull it down and rebuild.
He uses the barn to work on a small train that weaves its way through his back yard and the back yard of his two sons and daughter who live next door — nearly a mile and and a quarter of track. He gives rides to the grandkids and neighborhood kids.
The family also has a trampoline and nearby pool that weren't burned but may have superficial damage.
Away from the smoke, DeAnn Anderson sat in the kitchen with family and friends who sadly laughed about the situation. Friday was supposed to be a family reunion, but now the Andersons will spend the time cleaning.
"Really, this is so much better than last time," one daughter said. At least this time the Andersons have a house to come home to.
Neighbors continued to stop by to offer support, food and hugs.
"This family is so giving," said friend Jana Adamson. "They're so giving to everyone. That's why so many people are here."
Adamson said the family opens their pool, basketball court and train to anyone and everyone. This is one of the few times they've actually planned a family reunion using their own facilities.
"Now we gotta lot of work to fix it," DeAnn Anderson said.
E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com