A quiet Saturday night in the Salt Lake City suburb of Herriman turned into a scene out of a disaster movie when a fiery explosion rocked a local strip mall—sending the roof of a business soaring into the sky and forcing evacuations for blocks.
According to authorities, the chaos began just after 10 p.m. when a vehicle slammed into a business along 13400 South. Seconds later, flames engulfed the building, and then — boom — an explosion ripped the roof completely off.
“It was like something out of a war zone,” said witness Taryn Sainz, who filmed the explosion from across the parking lot. “The ground shook, the roof blew upward in pieces, and the fire just kept going.”
Herriman Police confirmed the crash ignited a structure fire, which triggered a gas-fueled blast. “We’re coordinating with Unified Fire and Riverton PD,” the department posted on X. “The area remains blocked off as the scene is stabilized.”
Video footage posted to social media shows the strip mall moments before disaster. The building, housing familiar chains like Jimmy John’s and Domino’s Pizza, suddenly erupted — flames spewing through the roof before it was launched into the air like a missile.
Several people were reportedly injured in the initial crash and fire, though authorities have not confirmed the exact number or the extent of their injuries.
A gas leak threat forced officials to order an evacuation of homes within a one-mile radius. “Anyone on Terra Cruz Lane and Parasol Lane, evacuate immediately,” police warned in a late-night emergency alert.
That order was finally lifted just after 1 a.m., but the damage was done.
Local resident Amanda Whitaker, whose home sits just three blocks from the blast zone, said the explosion “sounded like a bomb.” She added, “We grabbed the kids and ran outside. You could smell gas in the air. We didn’t know if another one was coming.”
Fire officials have not released the name of the driver or said whether drugs or alcohol were a factor. Investigators are now working to determine the full cause of the crash and why the fire spread so rapidly.
The explosion is the latest in a string of fiery incidents involving vehicles and gas lines this summer. Just last month, a propane truck explosion in Illinois rocked an entire neighborhood.
“This could have easily been a mass-casualty event,” said Fire Chief Mark Denning. “The fact that more people weren’t hurt is honestly a miracle.”
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has additional video footage to contact Herriman PD.
Stay with us for updates as this story develops.
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