It started with a low rumble, something that many residents thought was thunder. But within seconds, orange light filled the sky above Utah County, Utah. A massive building had caught fire — and within minutes, the blaze grew into one of the largest the area has seen this year.

Video shared by residents shows flames shooting several stories high, swallowing the structure as thick clouds of smoke rolled across the skyline. The fire could be seen from miles away, prompting hundreds of calls to emergency services as panicked neighbors evacuated nearby homes.

“It felt like an explosion,” one witness said. “We saw sparks flying everywhere. The whole street lit up — people just ran.”

Multiple fire departments responded, including crews from Provo, Spanish Fork, and Lehi. Firefighters battled strong winds that fanned the flames and made containment nearly impossible during the first hours. As the fire raged, power lines crackled, and debris rained down onto nearby vehicles.

Authorities quickly established a perimeter around the scene, urging drivers to stay away. “This is an active fire zone,” officials announced on the county’s emergency channel. “Please avoid the area to allow emergency crews to work safely.”

While the building’s identity has not been officially confirmed, early reports suggest it may have been a storage or manufacturing facility located off Highway 89. Investigators have not ruled out electrical malfunction or human error as possible causes.

Residents living in nearby neighborhoods reported smelling smoke for hours, even as fire crews worked through the night. Several homes were temporarily evacuated as a precaution due to the intensity of the heat and risk of spread.

By early morning, the glow of the flames could still be seen flickering over the horizon. Emergency personnel remained on site, monitoring for potential flare-ups as heavy machinery began clearing debris.

“It’s heartbreaking,” another resident told reporters. “We watched it collapse right before our eyes. The firefighters were incredible — they never stopped, not even for a second.”

Authorities have yet to confirm whether anyone was inside the building when the fire began. Paramedics treated several individuals for smoke inhalation at the scene, but no fatalities have been reported as of now.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Officials plan to release more details later today once the area is declared safe for inspection.

Stories like this remind us how quickly things can change in an instant — from quiet streets to chaos and fire lighting up the night sky. Our thoughts are with the brave firefighters and all those affected by this devastating blaze.

Follow the link in the comments for live updates and more footage from the scene.