Anchorage Fire Department

For Immediate Release

4-24-2008

Contact Battalion Chief Tom Kempton

907-317-7233

Saturday Morning Korean Church Fire Declared Arson

Anchorage Fire Department fire investigators working with federal agents from Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), have determined that the fire that struck the Anchorage Korean Church of Christ, 3833 Parsons Avenue, in Mt. View on 4-19-2008 was intentionally set in an act of arson.

Investigations by the Anchorage Fire Department (AFD) and ATF, working cooperatively, revealed that the fire was sparked by a flammable liquid.

The morning of the fire in Mt. View, a specially trained accelerant detecting K-9, Jodie, provided by ATF and handled by Anchorage Fire Department, Deputy Chief Bridget Bushue detected the presence of an accelerant at the scene of the fire.  Investigators dug into the scene and were able to rule out any accidental cause and were able to retrieve samples of the flammable material and other evidence that will be examined.

Initial property damage is estimated at over $100,000 dollars.

Investigators from AFD are asking anyone with information about this crime to call Crimestoppers of Anchorage.  Callers that provide information leading to the arrest and conviction associated with this incident could be eligible for cash rewards. Callers to crimestoppers at 561-7867 can remain anonymous.

Anchorage Korean Church of Christ

4-20-2008

For more information contact Battalion Chief, Tom Kempton

907-317-7233

A 911 call from a cell phone caller reported smoke and flames from the Anchorage Korean Church of Christ, 3833 Parsons Avenue in Mt. View, shortly after 4 AM this morning. 

Firefighters from the Airport Heights Fire Station were first on the scene and reported a fire in this single story, wood frame church building.  Fire was coming through both doors and windows on the South side of the structure. Firefighters established a water supply from a nearby hydrant and made a fire attack through a door on the street-side of the church. They were able to knock the fire down and call the fire under control in about 15 minutes.

Building owners stated the last time anyone had been inside the church was at approx. 4:30 PM Saturday.  Worship services had been scheduled for the facility this morning. The pastor of the church said that he would be trying to find an alternative location for the church members to meet.  

The fire extensively damaged the structure with fire damage to the roof and smoke damage throughout the church. No monetary damage estimate is available yet.  Fire investigators were called to the church to begin to determine what started this fire.

Firefighters were still at the scene this morning, overhauling the damage and checking for hotspots and will be assisting  fire investigators. There were no injuries reported and the church was unoccupied at the time of the fire.

For more information contact Tom Kempton 317-7233 

Shortly before 10:00 AM today, a caller reported flames and smoke coming from the basement of the residence.  A total of ten units responded and the fire was under control within 20 minutes.  It was reported the fire originated in a trash can located in the furnace room.  The fire was contained to the basement and no injuries were reported.  The cause of fire was improperly extinguished smoking material; damage is estimated at approximately $75,000.   

                                                         Anchorage Fire Department

                                                                        4-10-08

                                                       Contact:  Jeff Dobson 267-5066

The Anchorage Fire Department is pleased to announce the secondary phase of the newest firefighter recruit class.  Thirty-one recruits recently completed their academic and practical training which began on November 27, 2007.  These trainees have now been assigned to eight stations throughout the city;  where their preliminary benchmark training has begun.  From April to June these trainees will be completing live situational training and working at Stations 1 (Downtown);  3 (Airport Heights),  4  (Tudor),  5  (Spenard),  6 (Muldoon),  7 (Sand Lake), 12(Dimond) and 14 (Stuckagain).  Each trainee will be paired with an experienced Firefighter.  By June 1st  the trainees will have met specific training benchmarks; which allows them to work without their Firefighter partner.  From June to September they will continue to receive additional specialized training.  After September the trainees may be assigned to additional stations and duties.throughout the City.  Firefighter Trainees are on probation for a one year period.  In April of 2009, they will receive their Firefighter Badges during the formal Anchorage Fire Deparment Badge Ceremony. 

Anchorage Fire Department

03.18.08

Contact Jennifer Klugh 317-9929

Anchorage Fire Department to Conduct Live Fire Training

On Wednesday, March 19 and Thursday, March 20 from noon – 5 pm each day, the Anchorage Fire Department will conduct live fire training in a fire flashover simulation trailer under controlled conditions. This exercise is part of training exercises for fire academy cadets.  It will take place near 100^th Ave and King Street.  Smoke may be present in the area. 

This activity occurs during the final two weeks of training for fire academy cadets to simulate a realistic fire scenario. Weather conditions, including air quality and smoke ventilation factor, will be assessed to ensure that air quality will not be adversely affected.

Anchorage Fire Department
Press Release 3/16/08
Contact Jennifer Klugh 317-9929

At 12:50 this afternoon, 12 units responded to reports of a structure fire at 723 W 19th Avenue.  The 911 caller was the occupant of the duplex and had unsuccessfully attempted to extinguish a candle resulting in a small fire in papers located near the candle.  AFD communications dispatchers instructed all residents to evacuate, which was safely accomplished before crews arrived on scene.  Crews from Engine 5 were able to make a fast attack before the fire spread and had the fire under control within one minute. Very minimal fire damage to a wall and smoke damage were contained to the living room, the room of origin.  Crews were on location for about an hour and the residence was turned back over to the occupants.

Anchorage Fire Department
Press Release 3/9/08
Contact Jennifer Klugh 317-9929

Eastside Fire Results in Rescues; Two Residents Sent to Hospital

Shortly before 3:00 PM today, 18 units of the Anchorage Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 6112 Prosperity Drive in East Anchorage.  Several calls were made to 911, including one from a resident who was trapped on the third floor of the home. First arriving units from Station 6 reported light smoke showing from the second floor of the three story structure.  Crews from Engine 14 and Truck 3 entered the home and began to extinguish the fire on the second floor and quickly proceeded to the third floor where they located the trapped occupant and carried her to safety outside.  While extinguishing the fire and continuing the search on the second floor, crews from Engine 3 discovered another occupant who was not able to exit and carried him to safety.  Paramedics from Stations 3 and 6 treated and then transported the two patients to the hospital where they are undergoing treatment for smoke inhalation.  Three additional family members reside in the structure and were not home at the time of the fire.  The Alaska Chapter of the American Red Cross is providing assistance to the five displaced family members.  

The fire originated in the kitchen, located on the second floor.  The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Firefighters reported smoke detectors were sounding on the third floor of the home only.  Residents are reminded that smoke detectors give you and your family time to escape in the earliest stages of a fire when there still is time to evacuate safely.  Please check your smoke detectors for proper working operation and change the batteries at least annually.