2 rescued from balcony after massive fire erupts at Utah chapel

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Crews responded to a massive fire in Salt Lake City, Utah, where two individuals were rescued from the building's second-floor balcony.

Salt Lake City Fire Chief Brandt Hancuff said crews were dispatched to a structure fire at 500 East Hollywood Avenue at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.

The first units to arrive found heavy smoke and flames coming from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Wells Ward chapel. Screams were heard coming from the balcony.

Two individuals were rescued from the balcony and treated on scene for minor smoke inhalation before being released.

The building has been out of use since sustaining damage in the 2020 5.7-magnitude earthquake. It was slated for demolition in the upcoming weeks. Hancuff said Salt Lake City Police had been dealing with trespassing issues over the past several months.

Approximately 80 firefighters responded to tackle the fire from the Salt Lake and South Salt Lake Fire Departments.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Hancuff said the building is set to be demolished sometime Sunday, not only because it is inhabitable but because it is unsafe to be around.

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