What started as an innocent backyard fire in Pleasant Grove backyard yesterday quickly spiraled out of control and brought down power lines in the area.

According to Andrew Engemann, Pleasant Grove fire chief, the fire began when a man started burning unsuitable materials in his backyard.

“A gentleman in one of the homes was in the backyard burning some stuff that probably shouldn’t have been burning,” Engemann said. “Just too close to fence lines and the sheds. Just a reckless type of burning; he probably shouldn’t have been doing it but he had nowhere else to do it.”

The man had left the fire unattended to go inside his home when it quickly spread along the fence line to two nearby dry wooden sheds. Residents of the home were evacuated, and American Fork Fire & Rescue responded to the scene.

As the fire progressed, flammable chemicals that were stored inside one of the sheds exploded.

“He had a number of chemicals and stuff in one of the sheds that had some minor explosions,” Engemann said. “We did have one propane tank that actually exploded, which made a pretty good noise and actually got everyone’s attention.”

According to Engemann, one of the chemical explosions took down surrounding power lines.

“When the propane tank exploded, or I think a couple of other things in the area, I think that’s what brought the line down. People weren’t quite sure,” he said. “It (the shed) had a metal roof on it, like a tin roof, and when the power lines hit that it made a pretty good explosion, a lot of sparks and stuff.”

Ultimately, there was no damage reported to the man’s home or any surrounding homes, but substantial damage to the backyard where the fire originated, as well as the sheds and surrounding fence line and power lines, was reported.

Engemann warned local residents to be wary of what they burn and where, even in their own yards.

“Just be really careful of what you’re burning and where you’re burning. Make sure you have a good, clean area around what you’re burning. You should be at least 25 feet from any fence line, any property line, your own home, just to have that safety in there,” he said. “Just have a hose with you. The basic precautions really is what you’re looking for.”

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