Boil order takes effect in scorched Stockton

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People can once again use the water in Stockton, if they boil it first.

Residents of the Tooele County town were ordered not to drink or use the culinary water after the town's larger water tank, along with 179 acres of the desert, burned in a wildfire Wednesday. That command was replaced with a boil order as of 10 a.m. Friday, though it was not immediately clear how long the order will last.

While the contaminated water in the 500,000-gallon tank had to be shut down, drinkable water was being distributed at the Stockton Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Stockton Fire Station and the Town Hall, according to emergency management.

Timothy West, a former volunteer firefighter for the town, was arrested under suspicion of starting the wildfire. The flames also destroyed three outbuildings and damaged three homes, which remained habitable.

mmcfall@sltrib.com

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