A three-alarm fire near downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2026, forced an estimated 100 residents to evacuate their apartments at The Hendry complex. The blaze, which began in a vacant commercial property adjacent to the residential building, resulted in no reported injuries but necessitated a fire watch and several road closures in the area.
Firefighters Battle Large Blaze
The fire was first reported at approximately 7:35 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2026, according to Gephardt Daily. The blaze leveled a vacant commercial structure located near 340 W. 700 South. This property had previously housed several add-on businesses, making the structure a mixture of various additions over time, according to Salt Lake City Fire Captain Mathew Wilson.
Captain Wilson stated that the building's configuration, specifically the presence of void spaces created by these additions, made it difficult for firefighters to reach the seat of the fire. Due to the nature of the structure, crews were forced to maintain a defensive posture, fighting the flames from the safety of the perimeter to prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby residential units.
Emergency Response and Mutual Aid
As a precautionary measure during the height of the incident, the most westerly apartments in The Hendry building were evacuated. Despite the proximity of the flames, Salt Lake City Fire Department officials confirmed that there was no interior damage to the apartment units. Firefighters utilized heavy machinery and continuous water application to protect the apartment building from the adjacent fire.
Responding to the three-alarm incident required a massive deployment of emergency resources. More than 80 fire personnel were on the scene to combat the flames. The Salt Lake City Fire Department received significant mutual aid from the Unified Fire Authority, West Valley City Fire Department, and the South Salt Lake Fire Department. Additional support was provided by the Salt Lake City Police Department, Gold Cross Ambulance, Public Utilities, and utility partners Rocky Mountain Power and Enbridge Gas.
Road Closures and Fire Watch
While crews began demobilizing from the scene around 11:19 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2026, the area remained under active management. A fire watch was established to monitor the site as heavy machinery continued to support ongoing extinguishment efforts.
As a result of the ongoing work, several street closures and restrictions were implemented. 700 South remains closed between 300 West and 400 West, and access to 400 West is restricted near the incident site. These measures are intended to facilitate the work of emergency crews and ensure public safety during the cooling and monitoring phase.
Investigation and Safety Advisories
The Salt Lake City Fire Department has not yet determined the official cause of the fire. The blaze originated in the abandoned commercial structure located immediately next to the apartment complex.
Regarding public health, the department noted that while there are no specific known hazardous materials related to this particular fire, officials advise against breathing any smoke. Residents and passersby are encouraged to stay indoors or within a vehicle with windows and doors closed, use air purifiers or high-quality filters, and wear a properly fitted N95 respirator if they must be outside.
Ongoing Monitoring
The incident, captured in video by a viewer from the Grand America Hotel, highlighted the complexity of responding to fires in densely populated urban areas where commercial and residential structures are closely integrated. As of the evening of Sunday, Sept. 28, 2026, the fire watch remains the primary method for managing the site as crews conclude their response.
Final Status
The Salt Lake City Fire Department continues to monitor the site to ensure the fire does not reignite. The combination of high-volume water usage and heavy machinery deployment remains central to the department's strategy for securing the area.
Structural Challenges
The fire serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by urban fire departments when dealing with older commercial structures that have undergone multiple modifications over time.
