Man, 79, killed in Springville house fire

SPRINGVILLE, Utah — A 79-year-old man has died following a house fire Friday afternoon in Springville.

Chief Lance Haight with the Springville Police Department said smoke and flames were coming out of the windows on both sides of the home as well as the attic.

“So that neighbor courageously ran across the street and tried to make entry into the home, but was unable to do so due to the smoke and flames,” Haight said.

The neighbor then called dispatch at approximately 1:51 p.m.

Large response to a fire loosely in the area of 800 S 400 E in Springville. Gathering details and will have more @KSL5TV at 5p #KSLTV #Utah pic.twitter.com/43xo4idPjK

— Andrew Adams (@AndrewAdamsKSL) February 10, 2023

The Springville Fire Department responded, as well as the Mapleton, Spanish Fork, Provo, Payson and Salem fire departments.

Unfortunately, when crews arrived on scene, they discovered that the resident — a 79-year-old man — was dead.

“The fire has since been extinguished, but they will be working on the home for a while now just to make sure it’s completely out.”

Haight said the elderly man lived in the home for more than 40 years, adding that he was on medical oxygen and was fairly immobile.

“We don’t know if that (the medical oxygen) was the cause of the fire; it could have been a contributing factor, we just don’t know. It appears, by all accounts, to have been accidental.”

The fire occurred in the front area of the main floor. Flames also spread to the second story and attic, according to Haight.

“That’s more difficult to put out — you need to cut holes in the roof and put the fire out that way,” Haight said.

The man’s identity has not been released.