LEHI, Utah — More than a week after a massive blaze tore through an under-construction apartment complex in Lehi, investigators remain without a confirmed cause, and the possibility of arson remains unresolved. The fire, which erupted on November 9, quickly became one of the most widely viewed incidents in northern Utah this month, sending towering flames and thick black smoke into the sky and destroying significant progress on the multi-building project.
At a briefing Monday, Lehi Fire Chief Jeremy Craft addressed growing public curiosity and concern, explaining that his department has not yet completed its full investigative process. Although the main phase of on-scene work is close to wrapping up, Craft said the site will soon be turned back over to the property owner once final documentation is complete and outstanding evidence is reviewed.
The fire stunned nearby residents and drivers across the region, who watched from miles away as the partially built complex became fully engulfed. The scale of the incident prompted additional support from the Utah State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with nearly three dozen ATF investigators joining the effort to determine how the blaze began.
Despite the substantial manpower and expertise deployed, the cause of the fire remains elusive. Investigators were able to identify where the fire originated — a critical first step — but have not yet determined what triggered ignition.
"I will tell you that at this time, it's an undetermined fire is how we're going to classify it," explained Craft. "We know the point of origin, meaning we know where the fire started, but we don't know how the fire started."
Authorities confirmed that the fire began on the east side of the site, but the circumstances surrounding that ignition point have produced no conclusive evidence. Craft noted that the investigation team is working to obtain additional camera footage from nearby buildings, traffic systems, and residents who may have captured the early moments of the fire. He encouraged community members to send any relevant footage or tips directly to the Lehi Police Department.
The chief also addressed one of the most pressing questions circulating locally — whether arson may have played a role. He emphasized that early indicators have neither supported nor disproved that theory.
He said the question of arson is a “tricky question” and noted that an arson-detection K-9 was brought to the scene but did not alert to flammable liquids or accelerants. Still, he stressed that no scenario has been ruled out.
"We haven't ruled arson out, but we haven't proved an arson. Inversely, we haven't ruled out that there was a temporary electrical box or something in there that went bad. We haven't ruled that out, and we haven't proven that either, so both options are still on the table," Craft explained.
Complicating the investigation is the fact that the building where the fire began had recently passed a 4-way inspection — meaning electrical, plumbing, heating, and framing work had already been checked and approved. Craft said this makes an electrical failure possible but not immediately obvious, requiring further evaluation of wiring, temporary power equipment, and on-site construction tools.
Damage estimates remain unavailable as investigators continue coordinating with the builder to determine exactly what materials, structural components, and mechanical systems were lost in the fire. The cost is expected to be significant given the extent of the destruction and the stage of construction.
The investigation will continue in the coming days, with officials hoping that new footage, digital evidence, or forensic analysis will help narrow the list of possibilities. Until then, the cause of the destructive blaze that shook Lehi remains officially classified as undetermined, with all plausible scenarios still under review.
Originally reported by Jeff Tavss in Fox 13 News Now.
