APPLE VALLEY, Washington County — Fire officials say a blaze in Washington County where a man was found dead is fully contained and appears to be human caused.
The fire that started Monday night south of state Route 59 about 2 miles west of Apple Valley burned 49 acres and damaged one home and one outbuilding, according to Mike Melton, fire management officer in the southwest Utah area. At one point Monday fire officials said five homes were threatened by the flames.
Washington County sheriff’s deputy Graham Hancock said emergency personnel initially responded to reports of a brush fire.
“Upon deputies arrival, witnesses advised them that they saw a fire and drove toward it to make sure everyone was OK. Witnesses stated they transported the male away from the fire to meet with medical staff,” Hancock said.
Medical staff attempted to revive the man but were unsuccessful, he said. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The sheriff’s department is still investigating the cause of the 50-year-old man’s death and the cause of the fire. Melton said the man was found in a structure that was damaged by the fire and appeared to have suffered a medical emergency.
Crews were still working Tuesday to put out areas where the fire was still smoldering.