Elderly women, pet dog escape Millcreek fire unharmed

Utah Red Cross workers were providing temporary shelter, food and clothing to two elderly women after an early Thursday morning fire damaged their Millcreek home.

Unified Fire Capt. Clint Mecham said the 8:13 a.m. blaze at 4312 S. 615 East is believed to have been caused by a malfunctioning freezer located in the home's kitchen.

The women, one in her 90s and the other in her 70s, called 911 when they saw smoke billowing from the kitchen. Firefighters arrived within four minutes and safely evacuated the women and their pet dog from the residence.

No injuries were reported.

Crews extinguished the flames by 8:32 a.m., but in doing so had to remove sections of sheetrock walls and ceiling. Smoke and water also added to damage, which was not immediately given a dollar value but was sufficient to render the home temporarily uninhabitable.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims