Anchorage Fire Department received a call shortly before 1AM this morning for a residential structure fire on Old Rabbit Creek Road.  14 AFD units were dispatched and Station 10 units were the first on scene.  A Working fire was declared and due to the extent of the fire, units assumed a defensive position.  The majority of the home was consumed by fire and the damage estimate is unknown at this time.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but appears to be intentionally set.  The scene has been turned over to the Anchorage Police Department and fire investigators.

Midtown Home Damaged by Kitchen Fire

A Midtown home was damaged by fire early this morning leaving a mother and her son temporarily without their home.  Anchorage Fire Department Dispatchers received a 911 call from the teenaged son just after 2 a.m. this morning reporting a kitchen fire.  Eleven fire department apparatus were dispatched to the scene on 2235 Vanderbilt Circle in the College Gate subdivision.

Engine 3 from the Airport Heights Station, already on the road for an unrelated incident, was diverted and arrived within a few minutes.  No smoke or fire was visible from the exterior of the split-level home, however upon entry into the upstairs the firefighters were confronted with a heavy smoke charged atmosphere.  They were able to quickly extinguish the blaze in the kitchen area and additional crews assisted with ventilation and other fire ground activities.  Once the smoke was cleared fire crews were able to verify there was no fire extension from the kitchen area.  The fire was called under control within 15 minutes.

The quick response by the Engine 3 crew proved as a significant factor in containing the fire to the kitchen area.  Smoke and fire damage to the home is estimated at $15K, and the residents will be temporarily displaced with friends while utilities secured by fire crews are reconnected.  An investigation by fire department officials determined the fire began as result of unattended cooking.  There were working smoke detectors in the home which alerted the occupants who escaped safely with their pets.  Red Cross assistance was not needed.

Eastside Fire Destroys Home

Fire tore through an Eastside home last night leaving one family homeless.  Anchorage firefighters were dispatched shortly before 9:30 p.m. to a single family home at 6530 E 8^th Ave near Turpin St. after neighbors called 911 and reported smoke and fire coming from the home.

Engine 6 from the nearby station at Patterson and Debarr arrived within a few minutes and called a working fire.  As they initiated a fast attack ten additional fire units arrived to assist with fire ground operations.  Fire crews worked hard to contain the fire inside the single story structure, although they were unable to stop it before burning through and into the roof trusses.  The fire became increasingly difficult to access as firefighters discovered the roof was multi-layered.  At some point during renovations an additional roof was built over the top of the existing roof.  The fire had moved between the two roof areas and firefighters had to become demolition experts to gain access to it.  Finally after more than two hours of battling the blaze the fire was called under control.  Additional fire companies were called to the scene to relieve on-scene crews.

The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation.  The residents were not at home when the blaze was discovered, but were contacted and arrived while fire operations were in progress.  Damage is estimated at $200K.  The Red Cross responded with their canteen service to provide hot beverages for fire crews.  Two adult residents displaced by the fire will be staying with friends and did not request Red Cross assistance.  There were no reports of pet casualties, and there were no fire ground injuries. 

Extreme Temperatures Increase Fire Awareness!

During the past couple weeks of extremely cold temperatures the Anchorage Fire Department has noted an increase in the number of house fires, nearly one or more a day.  Unfortunately this is not an anomaly as fire officials report the fires occurring during extreme cold periods often have common origins.  Firefighting efforts are also hampered as equipment freezes and firefighters are exposed to the combination of cold and water. 

Residents are asked to be aware of these safety reminders;

-         Have woodstoves and fireplaces inspected by a certified company before using, and then use only seasoned wood or approved commercial fire logs for heat.

-         Use only UL approved alternate heat sources and ensure they are placed in a stable area, away from other combustibles and positioned so they won’t fall or be tripped over.

-         Contact a professional service when pipes are frozen and need thawed.

-         Ensure exit doors and pathways are kept free of obstacles both inside and outside the home.

-         Keep heavy coats, boots, gloves and hats near exits to grab while leaving the home.

-         Keep sidewalks, paths and driveways free of excessive snow and ice.

-         MOST IMPORTANTLY – HAVE WORKING SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS IN THE HOME ON EACH LEVEL.

The Anchorage Fire Department cannot endorse any commercial service.  Residents should consult the yellow page section in the phone directory for a list of service providers.

Fire Damages Jewel Lake Four Plex

Anchorage Firefighters responded to a fire in a Jewel Lake four-plex located at 8830 Cordell Circle around 11:30 p.m.  A resident in unit #4 called 911 reporting hearing popping sounds and noticed the wall bubbling.  Another resident also reported smoke coming from the attic area.  Eleven fire apparatus were dispatched.

The Engine Company from the Jewel Lake Station, which was literally just a few blocks away, arrived on scene within a couple minutes and called a working fire.  All occupants had safely evacuated the building.  The fire was advancing quickly into the attic and roof area of the building as fire crews began their attack.  Firefighters began tearing into the wall and ceiling while others accessed the attic area.  Their quick work was a huge contributing factor in stopping the fire from advancing.  Firefighters remarked the entire roof area was literally minutes from becoming involved which ultimately would have damaged the entire building.  The fire was called under control 20 minutes after the first engine arrived.

An initial investigation by fire officers believe the fire began in the chimney chase and worked its way up the wall into the attic area.  The occupants were burning cardboard, which burns significantly hotter than wood, in the fireplace several hours before discovering the fire.  The American Red Cross officials responded with their canteen service and also assisted 2 displaced occupants from one of the units.  Another occupant will be staying with family members and the remaining occupants were able to return to their apartment which was unaffected.  Fire crews initially secured the utilities to the building, but Enstar Gas and Chugach Electric crews also on location restored power and heat to the building.  There were no fire ground injuries and all pets were safely evacuated as well.  The fire damaged the unit of origin and also the apartment below with total damage estimated at $75K.  Attempts to contact the property owner were not successful.  

A safety bulletin has been posted under a separate heading.

Fire Destroys Fairview Home

Fire destroyed a Fairview Bungalow overnight, likely an original fixture in the community.  Callers reported smoke and fire coming from the single family one story home at 1326 Karluk around 12:45 a.m. this morning.  Eleven units were dispatched, one being an additional medic unit as it wasn’t known if the house was still occupied. 

Firefighters on Engine 1 from the Downtown Station called a Working Fire upon their arrival and initiated a fast attack.  Additional fire crews arrived within minutes and began assisting with water supply, ventilation, and searching the structure.  Firefighters confronted heavy fire load in the living room area which vented into the attic area and roof.  Initial reports were unclear if the occupant(s) were still home and firefighters searched fervently to ensure nobody was inside.  The blaze was brought under control in 45 minutes.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and believed to have started in the living room area.  Fire crews noted there were a number of portable space heaters in use throughout the home, one of which was in the area of origin.  It’s not clear yet if the space heater contributed to or caused the fire, but is suspect.  Neighbors provided contact information for the homeowner who conveyed the occupant was a family member who had been hospitalized since Christmas Day.  No pets were in the structure and there were no fire ground injuries.  Red Cross services were not needed and Street Maintenance was called to sand the streets from icing conditions due to water used at the fire scene.  The home is considered a total loss and estimated at $150K in damage.

At approximately 11:00 p.m. a call was received to 911 that advised there was a fire at 2094 Esquire Drive. 10 units were dispatched to the scene. E05, from the Spenard Station, was the first to arrive advising light smoke was showing from the eaves and began a fast attack. The fire caused under $100,000 worth of damage. Red Cross provided assistance for 3 displaced individuals. The cause of the fire is still under investigation

     Anchorage Fire Department was dispatched at 12:27 pm on 01/01/09 after receiving a 911 call from a resident on location reporting flames showing from the roof of their 2 story home.  Nine units were dispatched to 651Clipper Ship Ct with the first incoming unit from the Huffman station arriving at 12:34 pm reporting flames showing on the exterior and called a working fire.  The damages were estimated at $60,000 because half of the roof will need to be replaced due to charring.  The cause is believed to be from smoke and heat escaping at the second story level in the firebox.  No injuries were reported and Red Cross was not needed. 

Fires Keep AFD Busy New Years Eve

Anchorage Firefighters were kept busy over New Years Eve responding to several fires.  Firefighters and medics responded to over 82 calls over the night, most of them medical, some water problems and 5 fire calls.

A single family home sustained approximately 75K in damage after a faulty electrical circuit ignited in the wall and spread to the attic area.  The residents in the home on 601 Bragaw St were able to evacuate safely when they smelled smoke and saw brown spots appearing on the ceiling at 2:50 a.m.  When the first fire crews arrived there was smoke venting from the roof area.  Firefighters were able to gain access to the blaze by removing part of the ceiling and the wall.  The blaze was called under control in about 20 minutes.

Fireman also responded to the large commercial building at 737 W. 5^th Ave which houses several restaurants, notably Orso’s and the Glacier Brew House.  The Imaginarium is also located in the building.  The first call about 20 minutes after midnight reported light smoke in the building.  When fire crews arrived the smoke had dissipated and crews departed after a half hour and finding nothing.  Firefighters were called back at a few minutes after 5 a.m. this morning when smoke again was reported by employees working in the Glacier Brew House.  Upon arrival firefighters found light smoke coming from the elevator shaft area.  The source of the smoke was eventually discovered coming a wall in the elevator mechanical room area.

Firefighters also responded to a malicious fire alarm pulled at the Brighton Park Apartments located at 330 Bragaw St. around 3:00 a.m.  No fire problem was found.

Finally, residents at 2309 Leander Circle reported a chimney fire in their single family home located in the Southport subdivision at 5:30 a.m.  The fire company from the Southport station was able to handle the situation and no damage was reported.