SALT LAKE CITY — Two people and a dog died in an RV fire Wednesday morning in Salt Lake City, officials confirm.
Crews arrived quickly on the scene at 200 South, right below the Redwood Road overpass, but they were too late.
The front of the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames and the smoke could be seen for miles.
The Salt Lake City Fire Department said at least one of the two victims died as a result of smoke inhalation.
A third person who was living in the RV managed to escape alive.
The RV was parked in an area with several homeless camps. Fire investigators are working to find out exactly what started the blaze but they believe, at this point, it was likely from an "alternative heating source."
Pictures shared with FOX 13 from Jess Bennion, who works at a business right next-door, show the flames in the early morning.
SLC mayor makes urgent plea for staff, volunteers to work at winter homeless shelters
It seems pretty obvious there was some people inside there," said Captain Tony Stowe with the Salt Lake City Fire Department. Upon our search and extinguishment of that fire we did find two bodies and one person was able to escape, narrowly.”
Temperatures overnight dipped down into the teens. Jess Bennion says this stretch of 200 South is a popular location for encampments by those who are unsheltered.
UPDATE: Identities of the deceased individuals and the cause of this tragic fire will not be released until the investigation is completed with cooperation from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Sadly a dog was also lost in the incident. pic.twitter.com/X30vpdUbyB
— Salt Lake City Fire Department (@slcfire) December 29, 2021
