Residents of the North Union Apartments in Midvale remain displaced with no established timeline for when they can safely return to their units to retrieve belongings, according to city officials. The fire, which broke out Friday morning, burned for more than 24 hours and displaced all 220 occupied units in the complex.
Safety and Security Priorities
Midvale Mayor Dustin Gettel said Monday afternoon that officials are working to coordinate with the Unified Fire Authority and property management to address the crisis. Gettel noted that the current priorities for both the fire department and management are ensuring the safety and security of the residents and the property.
Despite these efforts, Gettel confirmed that neither the fire department nor the property managers have provided a specific timeline for when tenants will be able to access their units to retrieve critical personal items. The complex, which was built in 2022, is owned by Keller Investment Properties, a Utah-based company.
Devastating Impact on Residents
Investigators believe a mechanical issue located in the attic was the cause of the fire. The blaze was devastating, leaving many residents with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Daniel Chavez, a resident of the complex for more than three years, described the scene on Friday morning when he woke to find his building on fire. Residing on the third floor with his daughter, Chavez reported that water, smoke, and debris from the attic and top floor destroyed nearly everything. While he expressed a desire to recover personal documents, he told KSL News that he believes everything has been destroyed.
Ziyoviddin Burkhoniddinov, who moved into the complex in April, described the immense stress the fire caused his family. Burkhoniddinov and his wife, who is expecting a baby, lived on the fourth floor. He noted that his wife was so distraught by the event that she required medical attention from paramedics.
Community and Emergency Response
In response to the displacement, a community-wide effort has emerged to provide aid to the affected families. A temporary shelter and resource center has been established at Union Middle School. Mayor Gettel described the community response as "amazing" as people continue to reach out to help.
More than 40 families are currently being housed in Airbnb rentals through a partnership between the short-term rental company and United Way of Salt Lake. Additionally, Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area is collecting donations of new or like-new furniture and household items to help families find stability as they transition into new housing.
Insurance and Financial Uncertainty
While community support is growing, many tenants are facing significant financial uncertainty regarding their losses. Several residents reported that they lacked sufficient insurance to cover the destruction of their personal property.
Daniel Chavez noted that while the building offered a renter's insurance program, the coverage appeared to be limited to liability only. Other tenants expressed frustration, stating they felt misinformed about a $15 monthly fee paid to North Union Apartments, which they later discovered did not cover the personal property destroyed in the fire.
As of Monday, property managers had not responded to inquiries regarding when tenants could expect to receive their security deposit refunds.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
The North Union Apartments, located at 942 N. Union Ave., remains a site of recovery efforts. While the city and property management continue to communicate with residents, the path to returning to their homes remains uncertain for the hundreds of people displaced by the blaze.
