LEHI, Utah — A massive fire erupted Sunday morning at the future Alta Vista apartment community in the Point of the Mountain area, destroying much of the under-construction complex and sending thick black smoke across northern Utah.
The blaze was reported at 10:17 a.m. by a security guard stationed at the site, which has 24-hour surveillance in place due to its scale and ongoing construction activity, according to Lehi Fire Chief Jeremy Craft. When fire crews arrived, flames had already engulfed multiple structures.
Wood Partners, the national developer behind the project, broke ground in March on the 304-unit Alta Vista multifamily community located at 5222 N. Mountain Point Blvd. The company had planned to complete the development in 2027, citing the growing demand for housing in the Lehi-Draper corridor — one of Utah’s fastest developing tech and residential hubs.
Craft said the building conditions and high winds accelerated the destruction.
“These types of fires, all that open lumber, it’s just prime to burn,” he explained.
More than 100 firefighters from multiple jurisdictions responded as the fire escalated. With flames spreading structure to structure, Craft described the response as:
“This is what we call a ‘y’all come fire’ so anyone want to fight fire, come on down and help us out.”
High winds created challenging conditions, pushing fire across rooftops and sparking multiple structural collapses. Fire officials also confirmed two cranes suffered serious heat damage, raising concerns about potential collapses and forcing crews to reposition for safety.
At the height of the response, the fire chief estimated that crews were pumping:
Craft noted they were in contact with regional water managers due to the extreme consumption required to control the blaze.
Fire officials said there is currently no determination on whether the fire was accidental or suspicious. The intensity of the fire has made the site extremely hazardous to inspect.
Investigators may later deploy arson-detection dogs to look for accelerants once it is safe to enter what remains of the structures.
Minuteman Drive was closed temporarily to allow emergency operations. The dramatic smoke plume — visible from miles away across the valley — drew large crowds of spectators, adding challenges for law enforcement working to keep the area secure.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the fire zone while heavy equipment operators and structural engineers assess remaining hazards.
The Alta Vista complex was planned to bring new housing to a region in the midst of Utah’s rapid population expansion. A loss of this magnitude could:
No injuries were reported, but the future of the site — including structural salvage or complete rebuild — remains unclear.
Originally reported by Ashley Imlay, KSL.com and Andrew Adams, KSL-TV in East Idaho News.
