Ogden construction site fire called arson; juvenile male arrested Tuesday
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- Ogden Chief of Police Jake Sube leads a press conference Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025, announcing the arrest of a 16-year-old Roy resident suspected of setting a fire on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, that destroyed an under-construction apartment complex and damaged other neighboring structures.
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- A building under construction in central Ogden collapses as flames consume the structure Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.
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- Smoke and flames are visible above downtown Ogden on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, after an apartment building that was being constructed near 22nd Street and Lincoln Avenue caught fire.
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- The frame of an apartment building burns in downtown Ogden on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2024.
OGDEN — A fire that razed an under-construction apartment complex in downtown Ogden on Saturday has been determined to be intentionally set and a juvenile suspect is in custody.
During a press conference Tuesday evening, Ogden Chief of Police Jake Sube announced that the investigation following Saturday’s fire has been ruled an arson.
“Our investigation team has since determined the fire was intentionally set, a fact which renders the act the crime of arson,” he said. “Once that determination was made, the investigations team set out to identify an individual or individuals responsible.”
He said this investigations team included members of the Ogden City Police Department; Ogden City Fire Department; the state fire marshal; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF; the Utah Transit Authority Police Department; Weber County Crime Scene Investigation unit; and the Weber County Attorney’s Office.
“Through their meticulous and relentless investigation efforts, a 16-year-old male was identified as the suspect,” Sube said. “Earlier today at approximately 12:50 p.m., the suspect was taken into custody without incident.”
He said the boy is believed to have acted alone and is a resident of Roy but attends school in Ogden. The boy has been booked into the Weber Valley Youth Detention Center on three second-degree felony charges — arson, causing a catastrophe and criminal mischief.
Due to the suspect’s status as a juvenile, his name was not released.
“While an arrest has been made, the investigation remains active and further details can not be shared to protect the integrity of the case and the integrity of the future prosecution,” Sube said. “Additional details may be released as the investigation progresses. The Ogden Police Department remains committed to transparency and to the safety of our community and its residents.”
Sube praised the first responders and investigations team for their swift findings.
“This case highlights the proficiency and dedication of the first responders, investigators and our professional partners — both local and federal — to safeguarding the citizens and the community of Ogden. The successful resolution of this case would not have been possible if not for the coordinated and collaborative effort of all of those involved. As the chief, I have to say I am extremely proud of the work that was conducted in such a timely manner to bring a resolution to this case. It is a testament to the men and women of the Ogden City Police Department and the Ogden Fire Department and to those who partner with us to bring this to a conclusion.”
He did not provide any further details on the investigation, the suspect or damage assessments.
Saturday’s fire, in addition to consuming the 97-unit apartment complex, also did damage to surrounding structures, such as the DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts’ elementary school directly to the west and a vacant building to the southwest. High winds also carried embers that started small spot fires blocks away that were extinguished. Thousands temporarily were left without power as the fire threatened a high-tension power line and damaged a power pole.
However, in spite of the intensity of the blaze, no injuries have been reported related to the fire or the effort to extinguish it.
Sube said that’s one of the few silver linings that can be found in such a situation.
“When we can walk away from something this significant and have nobody injured and have a resolution so quickly — to me, that’s all we can ask for in a very difficult and hard situation,” he said.
