Patrons at Salt Lake City Gay Club Attacked by Fireballs

A group of people who were at a popular gay nightclub in Salt Lake City on Thursday were attacked by flaming projectiles.

According to a report on local ABC affiliateABC4, around 40 patrons who were partying outside in the patio area of JAM nightclub were bombarded by fireballs. The assailants remain unidentified.

Fernando Noriega, who was part of the crowd, said he witnessed three young men flee from the scene after he and others ran to see who threw the flames.

"All of a sudden we saw something bright," Noriega said. "I thought they were fireworks on the floor." The crowd then took cover from the flames and thankfully, no one was hurt.

Firefighters who investigated the scene have not been able to find the material that was used to toss the fire because nothing was left after they burned out. Noriega said he thinks the attackers used flares.

"Out of a group of 30 people, all of those flares to be hitting at the same time we don't know how, everyone was very lucky," he said.

After the incident, Noriega and a few others tried to run after the attackers but he said they ran down the street as soon as they saw Noriega and escaped.

He saw enough, however, to give a description of the three young men and their car. A neighbor across the street saw the entire incident take place and was able to give descriptions to police and firefighters as well.

"I saw two or three flare or firework looking things flying over the patio at JAM," Regan Mower said. "At first I just thought it was a practical joke. Then I saw people screaming and running inside."

Both men claim that the attackers must have known the patio was full of people.

"Even from here, you can't miss the fact there's lots of people there," Noriega said. "You can hear the people; see the people so you know there are people in there. It was definitely malicious. They definitely knew what they were doing."

ABC4 notes that the suspects have been described "white males in their late teens early 20s with blond, shaggy hair. They were driving a dark red or maroon Pontiac Grand Am."