SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, FIREFIGHTERS WERE KEPT busy all last night containing a major building fire in the heart of downtown.

Olson / Deseret Morning News

Shortly before 9 pm a passerby saw a flickering light inside and patrons in a neighboring restaurant smelled the smoke  and voluntarily vacated the building.

The FD initiated an interior attack but had to move outside as the fire grew and the building stability became uncertain.  Shortly after there was a partial collapse inside the structure.

The currently-vacant building had last been used as a music hall but has been shuttered for several years.  KUTV reports that the owner did not carry insurance because of the high expense of insuring vacant buildings.  He estimates his loss at $5 million.

Stephen Jeffries photo

KUTV Ch. 2 has the STORY.
The Deseret Morning News has MORE.
KSTU has raw VIDEO.

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