This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Firefighters responded Thursday morning to a two-alarm blaze in a west Salt Lake City industrial park.
Smoke and flames were reported at 6:49 a.m. at the Deseret Industries Manufacturing complex, 1680 S. Industrial Road (1900 West), which makes furniture and mattresses for the LDS Church-owned and operated thrift store chain.
Salt Lake City Fire Department spokesman Jasen Asay said five employees inside the building safely evacuated to a parking lot. They were joined by several others arriving to work. No injuries were reported.
By 8 a.m., 34 firefighters had doused the fire and were clearing smoke from the building.
Asay said the fire began in an exterior hopper that collects sawdust. While the cause of the blaze was under investigation, initial indications were that it was ignited by a spark, perhaps from machinery.
The smoke from the hopper filled connecting air ducts and spread throughout the building, setting off smoke detectors and a fire-suppression sprinkler system.
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