Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal David Reed told the Standard-Examiner that units were dispatched to Ogden Self Storage, located at 1515 S. 1200 West, at 9:22 a.m. Weber Fire District was joined on the scene by units responding from Ogden and Riverdale.

Authorities believe that the fire was ignited accidentally by an individual who was going through their rented storage unit in preparation for a move. The individual was using a portable propane heater, which allegedly caused nearby combustibles to catch fire after being left unattended, Reed said. The blaze spread quickly from there.

“Our guys got out, took out multiple hose lines and defended on the outside to keep the fire from continuing to spread down through each unit. But the way those units are, there’s a front and a back, too. So, it’s difficult,” Reed said. “There were four to five units that were fire damage, that were heavily involved, and then another 14 or 15 that had smoke and water damage.”

The fire was contained to the storage facility; however, one person received minor injuries while attempting to put out the flames. Additionally, a firefighter injured his knee after slipping on ice during a salvage and overhaul process and is undergoing a medical evaluation. The property damage is estimated to be over $100,000.

Reed added that responding units narrowly beat out a lengthy train while en route to the scene.

“We’re lucky that they got there before the train did,” Reed said. “Sometimes, what they’ll do is they’ll block the 1200 West entrance, and then they wrap clear around and block the 17th Street exit, where you can’t get in or out of that area.”

According to Reed, local rail officials typically attempt to hold stopped trains just short of one of the rail crossings in order to allow for at least one access point in the event of the emergency.

This incident remains under investigation.