MIDVALE, UT — Tenants of the North Union Apartments in Midvale gathered outside the complex Saturday to demand answers more than three weeks after a fire tore through the building on July 31 and displaced residents across much of the property. The blaze lasted for more than 24 hours and affected more than 160 units in the 220-unit complex at 942 N. Union Ave.
Residents said the damage did not end when the flames went out. Some said they lost passports, jewelry and other valuables, while others said they were still trying to learn whether insurance would cover personal property losses. Jeremy Seeley, one of the tenants at the demonstration, said many people felt hurt first by the fire and then again when they returned to the building and saw what was left behind.
What Residents Say
Dozens of tenants and supporters carried signs outside the property reading messages including “Shame on Keller,” “Housing is a human right” and “Justice for NUA tenants.” They said they want a clear plan for getting back inside the damaged building, more direct communication from management and a role in decisions about what happens next.
Some tenants also said they are considering legal action. Mia Miller said the aftermath has felt like a failure by North Union Apartments, and that some former residents have turned to online fundraising on sites such as GoFundMe to help replace what they lost. Savannah Page said she wants accountability and responses from management, even if it is too late for her own belongings.
Ownership And Response
Online Utah property records identify the building’s owner as North Union DE Partners, with a registered agent in Centerville. The complex’s website says the property is closed. Keller Management oversees the apartments, but it did not immediately respond to KSL’s request for comment.
North Union officials had allowed tenants from the first, second and third floors to return in the days after the fire to recover items, but not those on the fourth floor, which sustained the heaviest damage. Residents said they still wanted clearer guidance on access, insurance questions and responsibility for losses tied to the fire.
Fire Investigation Ahead
Unified Fire Authority investigators said soon after the blaze that they suspected a mechanical problem in the attic may have started the fire. That remains the main explanation publicly identified in the days after the incident, while residents continue waiting for a fuller accounting of what happened and what comes next.
Tenants who need the latest information are being directed to the apartment management and local fire officials for updates on access, repairs and any investigation findings. For now, the building remains closed and many residents say they are still sorting out losses, temporary housing and whether any compensation will come through insurance or other channels.
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