LAYTON—A home at 2220 N. 1495 East was totally destroyed on Sunday after fireworks sparked a blaze near the Kay’s Creek Trailhead that spread to the grass and then to vehicles parked in the driveway. The occupants, one woman and two children were not home at the time.

“The single mother was away but has since returned (to look at the damage),” said Layton City Fire Department Battalion Chief Jason Cook. “We’re working with her trying to make her whole but that’s a hard thing to do.”

The house sits west of the opening of the trail, he said. “The property belongs to the city and abuts her property. It started in a grass space then spread to a camper, a tow truck and vehicle in the driveway and ignited then extended into the home.”

Cook said dispatch started receiving calls about 1:30 a.m. reporting a brush fire. “Then callers said cars were involved then the house became involved.”

Witnesses indicated that they saw young people in the area, said Layton Police Lt. Travis Lyman. “We were able to track them down and they ended up confessing to being involved.”

Three people, two adults and one juvenile were charged in the incident, he said. “The two adults were given a citation for discharge of fireworks outside of approved times, reckless burning and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. One of them was also charged with failure to stop for law enforcement. The juvenile was sent to juvenile court.”

Neighbors Nancy Sylvester, Daniela Harding and Kimberly Mulholland jumped in to start raising funds and collecting items for the family. 

“Within 48 hours we had already raised $2,000 and in kind donations,” said Sylvester. “She’s a single mom and she lost everything. She is so sweet and humbled by this. She forgives the kids who started the fire because she said ‘she did dumb things when she was a kid.’ She’s a loving and forgiving person. We want to help her get back on her feet.”

Sylvester said the woman has two kids ages 10 and 12. “The kids have grown up here. She plans to rebuild but fortunately she has a place to go to. It is such a tender mercy. We’ve seen a lot of miracles where everything lined up for us to get together and do this.”

Daniela saw the fire and heard explosions, she said. “I heard sirens but didn’t get up. That ended up helping because I was able to start organizing because I hadn’t been up all night.”

It’s devastating, said Sylvester. “One side of the house looks like it’s blown out. You can’t walk inside of course. It’s a miracle she wasn’t there, especially at night. Things can be replaced but obviously lives can’t.”

Cook said it was a busy weekend for them. “Just the day prior a brush fire started west of the Union Pacific and FrontRunner track at the Eastview Subdivision, 355 E. 900 South. The tracks were closed years ago and the last homes in the subdivision abut the railroad tracks.”

There are dense trees and heavy grass, he said. “Embers pushed into the grassy area between the tracks and I-15 at Layton Parkway. Because of the configuration of the homes three homes were eminently threatened. One shed and a child’s swing set were slightly affected. The cause is likely man-made but has not been identified yet.”

In between these fires, Cook said they had a bunch of other calls. “We had non related medical calls, etc. It’s a busy time of year for us.”