A Salt Lake City fire investigator said someone using smoking materials near an oxygen source sparked an apartment fire that left one person dead and two people seriously injured Monday.
Firefighters were called to the Silverado Apartments around 2 a.m. after 9-1-1 callers reported an explosion and fire.
"There was a huge explosion that shook the entire block," James Merdinger told KUTV.com. "It either started the fire or was a result of."
In videos shared by neighbors, fire engulfed the front of the structure.
Capt. Shaun Mumedy with the Salt Lake City Fire Department told KUTV.com that use of smoking materials near the oxygen tanks sparked the fire, noting that was the source of the explosion neighbors heard.
Mumedy did not say if any of the victims were in the area where the fire started.
Fire officials said three firefighters suffered minor injuries.
