One firefighter injured, at least two businesses lost total in WVC mall fire

WEST VALLEY CITY — A firefighter was injured and at least two businesses were declared total losses Thursday due to a three-alarm mall fire.

Witnesses told KSL TV the fire broke out around 5:45 p.m. at El Pollo Royo, at 4616 S. 4000 West.

“The first thing I noticed was smoke coming from the ceiling tiles and when I went out to let the restaurant know, 'Hey, you know, there's a fire.' When I came back inside, I saw flames on the ceiling. I could see flames in the ceiling tiles,” said Omair Rehman, owner of the nearby Lucky Mart.

Rehman said he quickly gathered some of his belongings and fled. He just opened the convenience store in September.

“We were still having difficulties with the business and that happened today,” he said. “It was quite sad.”

West Valley City Fire Chief John Evans said it appeared everyone got out of the businesses safely.

He said at least two businesses were in total loss, while ten others had been evacuated and affected in some way.

According to Evans, the first units arrived within four minutes of the call and the fire had already reached well into the roof. He said firefighters began attacking the blaze from the roof, but it ultimately proved too dangerous.

“When fire attacks you, the roof starts to collapse. You can’t put anyone up there,” he said. “We stayed up there as long as we could, but you know what, you gotta get down when it starts sagging like that.”

Evans confirmed that a firefighter was injured and taken to hospital in good condition.

The cause of the fire was still unknown Thursday evening as crews continued to work on the blaze.

“It’s quite, quite sad and (I’m) still in shock,” Rehman said. “I'm happy, everyone is safe, no one was inside and evacuated.”