More than 220 households displaced by the North Union Apartments fire in Midvale are demanding answers from building owner Keller Properties, which has not publicly responded to residents or media two days after the blaze that brought Sandy firefighters and a Sandy school into the emergency response.

Scores of displaced residents gathered outside the complex Sunday, Aug. 2, some saying they are effectively homeless, according to ABC4. Residents described renters' insurance bundled into their leases that covers only the building's liability, not personal belongings lost in the fire. Management offered to place tenants in sister-company properties but has not offered rent relief, lease cancellation, or even one month free.

"Everything we've heard has been from the fire department and in meetings that we've had," resident Jake Meacham said Sunday. "The apartment has sister companies that they're offering to put us in. There's no benefits at all to us, like, not even a month's free."

North Union Apartments posted one message to its resident portal on Friday, July 31, the day of the fire, promising updates on temporary housing and lease status. Residents say almost nothing has followed.

Keller Properties has not responded to media inquiries.

Sandy's role in the response

Sandy City Fire Department responded to the four-alarm blaze as mutual aid Friday morning alongside Murray and West Valley City units, as we reported July 31. When air conditioning failed at the initial shelter at Hillcrest High School, the Red Cross relocated displaced residents to Fort Union Middle School at 615 E. 8000 South in Sandy, where they received food, water, beds, and pet accommodations.

Up to 20 Canyons School District students are among the displaced, according to reports from the fire's aftermath, with the school year starting Monday, Aug. 17. The district has activated McKinney-Vento homeless protections to ensure those students can enroll and receive services.

What caused the fire

Unified Fire Authority investigators said Saturday, Aug. 1, that they believe a mechanical issue in the attic space caused the fire, according to Gephardt Daily. Arson has been ruled out. The blaze spread through a 3- to 6-foot gap between the top-floor apartments and the roof, traveling through elevator shafts, trash chutes, and ventilation shafts above the building's sprinkler system.

The fire burned more than 12 hours before being brought under control Saturday morning. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries. No civilian injuries were reported.

North Union Apartments was built in 2022 and had a market value of nearly $60 million before the fire, according to Salt Lake County records cited by Fox 13.

Residents caught in limbo

Savannah Page, a biology teacher and soccer coach who lived on the top floor, said she was told her lease insurance covered everything, only to learn it was liability-only. Newlyweds Taryn Hancock and Preston Bland moved in just weeks before the fire and are now being forced to move back home.

Bland said he wants leases canceled and security deposits refunded promptly so displaced residents can move forward.

As of Saturday, residents had not been allowed to re-enter the building to retrieve belongings. Many vehicles remain in the underground parking garage.

How Sandy residents can help

The Red Cross is accepting donations of food, clothing, household items, and money to help displaced residents replace essentials like medications and eyeglasses. Contact the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS or at redcross.org.

Midvale Mayor Dustin Gettel has set up a recovery email at [email protected] for businesses and individuals who want to donate hotel vouchers, grocery gift cards, gas cards, or other assistance.