UPDATED: Electrical fire spreads through over-50 Dixie Downs community, dog dies in smoke

Written by Alysha Lundgren
October 13, 2022
Vista Ridge Estates residents look on as firefighters battle a car and structure fire on North Dixie Downs Road on Thursday night, Oct. 13, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — An electric fire likely caused by an electric bike being charged set a garage ablaze in the Vista Ridge Estates 55-plus community at 1331 N. Dixie Downs Road on Thursday night.

At least five fire trucks and over 20 firefighters responded to the scene to extinguish the blaze, which Vista Ridge Estates homeowners association manager Cheri Sanders said started when a parked vehicle ignited.

The fire was reported just after 8 p.m., and as of 9:15 p.m., emergency responders were still on the scene and smoke was continuing to billow from the structure. By 9:30, firefighters were seen beginning to stow equipment as the flames had died down.

Sanders also said she believed the residents at Unit 137, where the fire began, evacuated the house and were unharmed. St. George firefighters and police, as well as Gold Cross Ambulance, responded to the scene.

As a precautionary measure, emergency personnel were examining individuals to check for smoke inhalation. Sanders said a neighbor suffered smoke inhalation and that person’s dog is believed to have perished.

This is a developing story.

Update 9 a.m. Oct. 15: Updated with fire being out.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alysha Lundgren joined the St. George News team in 2022. She began her career as a freelancer, writing resource articles for families of children with disabilities. She's also covered topics such as astronomy, recreation and nature. Originally from Nevada, Alysha fell in love with Utah quickly after moving to Cedar City. In her free time, she enjoys wandering and photographing Utah's gorgeous landscapes or hunkering down in a blanket to play video games or read a good book.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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