LAYTON — A large fire destroyed a building at a Layton apartment complex on Monday afternoon, the Layton Fire Department said.
Crews responded to the fire at Layton Meadows Apartments, located at 540 W. 1415 North, at about 2:26 p.m., Chief Kevin Ward said. Ward said he expected the building, which houses 24 apartment units, to be a "total loss."
Five occupants of the apartments suffered minor injuries, including a person who said they jumped from a second story balcony, Ward said. Three of the five were treated on scene and released. The other two were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Seven firefighters were also being treated at a local hospital for smoke inhalation, though "nothing serious," Ward said.
The fire is thought to have been caused by cooking in a unit on the first floor. By the time crews arrived on the scene, the fire was already spreading up through the second story, Ward said.
Twenty-three of the 24 units were occupied, according to Ward. The American Red Cross of Utah said in a tweet around 5 p.m. that it was assessing the immediate needs of 22 occupants.
The heat Monday and the layout of the building both proved to be challenges for the fire crews, Ward said.
"It’s been a very stubborn fire, very rapid fire spread," Ward said.