KEARNS, Utah — A large strip mall fire sparked early Wednesday morning in Kearns has forced officials to ask the public to avoid the area near 5400 South and 4500 West.
According to the Unified Fire Authority, crews were called to the mall at 4620 West 5415 South at around 3:45 a.m. and found the building fully engulfed in flames.
It's not known what caused the fire in which no injuries have been reported. Unified Fire Authorities tell FOX 13 News that they do not suspect arson as the cause of the fire.
As police were patrolling the area, one Unified officer was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic at the scene. The officer was taken to the hospital in fair condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
All the water used to extinguish the fire and the cold temperatures have combined to create icy conditions on nearby roads surrounding the mall and drivers are urged to be careful.
FOX 13 News spoke with the owner of the La Placita Market, Osvaldo Vaca, who stated they want to continue to be a landmark in the community. "... by all means, we're not a franchise, but we are a family home, your own establishment," Vaca stated. "We always wanted everybody to leave with that love, that you're getting that touch of love that you can come back and your needs are going to be satisfied."
Both directions of 5400 South are currently closed at 4700 West and are expected to be shut down for several hours.
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