A three-alarm fire on the evening of June 6 left five businesses in ruins or heavily damaged and caused traffic backups along 4000 West for several hours. A total of 10 businesses in the strip mall at 4615 S. 4000 West were evacuated, but firefighters were able to limit the blaze to five locations. Gas and electricity were turned off to all of the stores while the blaze was being extinguished.

The fire is believed to have started in the El Pollo Royo restaurant, though investigators are still looking into the origin. Fire crews were called about 6 p.m. and arrived minutes later, with crews rotating due to the heat from the blaze. A restoration area was set up to help cool off firefighters as they changed shifts. One firefighter suffered a minor injury and was taken to a local hospital and later released, but there were no other injuries, and the fire was mostly extinguished by nightfall.

The five businesses currently closed are El Pollo Royo, Lucky Mart, Boost Mobile, Vicky’s Peruvian Fusion Restaurant, and V. Hugh Salon. Other neighboring businesses, including Harbor Freight south of El Pollo Royo, remain open. Fire officials say at least two of the businesses were a total loss due to water damage. The fire department estimates the loss at between $1.5-$2 million, but could go higher due to the contents of the stores.

As of June 21, the area around the stores remains fenced off and investigations are continuing. West Valley City Fire Chief John Evans said the roof had collapsed on at least two of the businesses in the mall. Evans said it took several hours and about 60 firefighters from across the valley to fight the fire. λ