South Salt Lake, Utah—Chaos gripped a quiet neighborhood on April 28, 2025, when a gas leak erupted into flames, forcing hundreds to flee their homes under a mandatory evacuation order. The fire, chewing through the evening air, sent residents scrambling as emergency crews raced to contain the danger.
The trouble started in the area boxed between 3300 South and 3500 South, from West Temple to 200 West. Authorities didn’t mince words: everyone had to get out, fast. For those who couldn’t—maybe stuck without a car or mobility—they were told to dial 801-840-4000 for help. No timeline was given for when people could return, leaving families in limbo, some clutching pets and bags as they spilled into the streets.
Firefighters and hazmat teams swarmed the scene, battling not just the flames but the invisible threat of leaking gas. The South Salt Lake Fire Department, backed by county emergency managers, set up a shelter for evacuees, though details on its location were sparse in the early hours. Roads were sealed off, and drivers were warned to steer clear of the smoky, cordoned-off zone.
The leak’s cause? Still unknown, at least in official reports. No injuries were reported by nightfall, but the sight of flames licking the sky and the stench of gas hanging heavy didn’t exactly inspire calm. Residents, some in pajamas, milled about at a safe distance, watching their neighborhood turn into a no-go zone.
A local news chopper captured the scene: fire trucks flashing red against the dusk, hoses snaking across lawns, and cops directing traffic away from the hot zone. For now, the city’s focused on keeping people safe and the fire contained. But with no word on when the gas will be shut off or the flames doused, South Salt Lake’s holding its breath.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for the area from 3300 South to 3500 South, West Temple to 200 West. Authorities urge anyone unable to evacuate to call 801-840-4000. No casualties have been reported, and a shelter is available for displaced residents.