Editors Note: This article was originally published in the Jan. 24, 2024 issue of the Chronicle Progress. Some information may be outdated.
Woman, 57, died in upstairs bedroom where blaze suspected of igniting
State fire investigators were unable to determine the cause of an Oct. 7 house fire in Holden that claimed the life of a 57-year-old woman, according to a Utah State Fire Marshal’s Office report obtained by the Chronicle Progress.
Cynthia Wiley, who died in the blaze, was in a second floor bedroom of the home when it caught fire. Her body was discovered lying sideways along the foot of a bed, a set of keys in one hand, a stuffed animal in the other, the report noted.
She suffered “extensive heat and fire exposure” and was unable to escape the home.
Investigators believe the fire started in the room Wiley was found in, probably along the room’s east wall, where significant damage was noted.
“The fire patterns on the East wall show that the fire spread outwards and upwards from this area behind (an electrical) outlet. The fire patterns in this area suggest this area is the location where the fire originated,” the fire marshal’s report states.
Investigators reported the only source for igniting the blaze was the electrical outlet itself. A refrigerator and microwave were plugged into the outlet in question at the time of the fire.
Investigators examined both the appliance cords as well as wiring in the electrical outlet, but were unable to determine if ignition was caused by any of the components.
“Upon examination of both cords, we were unable to find any indication that either appliance caused the fire. We then examined the electrical outlet. The receptacle was removed and examined for signs of electrical failure, and none were found. The electrical wire going into the outlet was examined, and no signs of failure were found,” the fire marshal’s report states.
While investigators reported this was the only area where the fire could have started, they could not pinpoint the exact source or sequence of events as the fire started.
The conclusion was that the fire had “undetermined” causes.
A Jan. 10 supplemental report attached to the main fire investigation was produced by the state medical examiner. It noted Wiley died from smoke inhalation and other injuries.
Wiley was staying at the home, owned by popular Millard High School teacher Ben Hunter, as a guest at the time of the blaze. Hunter was able to flee the house safely at the time.
