4 Plex Fire 2-21-207

7411 Woburn Circle

Contact Tom Kempton 907-317-7233

A 911 caller reported  fire in a 4-plex at 7411 Woburn Circle off of Northwood Drive between Strawberry and Raspberry Drive in South Anchorage this afternoon at 5:22 PM.  The first engine on location was from the Sand Lake fire station and they were there within 3 minutes.  The engine company crew reported fire coming from the top floor of this 2 story apartment building.  The fire apparently originated in the wall behind frozen pipes where a plumber had been using a torch. The fire extended into the overhead attic and wall areas that adjoin two of the units. Firefighters had to pull ceilings in two of the units to extinguish fire in the insulation of the attic space. Firefighters we able to contain the majority of the damage to the 2 units. At this time if the owners are able to isolate the power and get the heat back on the two remaining units can be reoccupied tonight.  Two families have been displaced and the American Red Cross was summoned to provide housing and other assistance.

The  fire damage to the structure and two of the units was extensive and the amount of fire loss was estimated at approx. $80,000.

Twelve units of the fire department responded with units coming from as far away as the Spenard, Bayshore and Tudor Road Fire stations.

With the cold temperatures frozen pipes can occur. The Anchorage Fire Department recommends using only licensed and bonded contractors to thaw frozen pipes.  Open flame used to thaw pipes can ignite building framing and insulation and is not recommended to thaw frozen pipes.  If open flame is necessary to solder or otherwise repair plumbing then a fire extinguisher should always be readily available.  Fire can break out long after the original work if insulation smolders in walls and behind plumbing and appliances.

Trailer Fire Near West High

2-17-07

At 11:46 AM  a 911 caller reported flames and smoke coming from the near door of a trailer at 1908 Hillcrest Drive Space 46, near West High School.  The first arriving fire engine was from the downtown fire station and the crew began a fast attack into the trailer. Assisted by other units from the downtown and Spenard fire stations and from units as far away as station 4 on Tudor Road they quicky knocked the fire down and made sure that the trailer was unoccupied. The fire was called under control at 12:09 PM.  Twelve units from the Anchorage Fire Department responded.  No one was at home at the time of the fire.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.  Fire substantially damaged most of the trailer, there was a hole in the floor and fire was extinguished underneath the trailer as well. Damage is estimated at approx. $30,000.  

This trailer park is one of the oldest in Anchorage and was reportedly established in 1948.

Friday was a busy day for the Anchorage Fire Department with over 15 responses to vehicle accidents, mostly attributed to the slippery conditions with the new snowfall.  Most of the accidents resulted in minor injuries but one accident at 7:24 AM today on the Glenn Highway, inbound lane, between Muldoon and Boniface sent one person to a local hospital in serious condition.  Five units of the Anchorage Fire Department responded and a 40 year old male was found trapped in the vehicle.  While Firefighter/Paramedics treated the patient inside the vehicle other firefighters cut the roof off the vehicle to extricate the patient safely. The patient was reportly unconscious and transported in critical condition to a local hospital.  There is no further report on the condition of the patient at this time.  The Anchorage Police Department is investigating the accident.

Community Fire Planning Kicks Off 

Contact Sue Barkwood 267-4902 or Jennifer Klugh 317-9929

The Anchorage Fire Department is starting a process called Community Wildfire Protection Planning (CWPP or Community Fire Planning). This is a mechanism for AFD to incorporate local participation in the planning of future wildfire mitigation projects and to make wildfire awareness a part of everyday life. This includes more discussion on where and why fire mitigation projects are necessary along with neighborhood level planning for a fire event. Community Fire Plans are part of the Hillside District Plan and are also partnered with the Emergency Watch Neighborhood Preparedness Program.

Staff from the AFD Wildfire Mitigation Office will meet with community councils over the winter to introduce the process and provide ways the public can get involved.  Geographic regions will be divided by community council, and communication will be conducted through already scheduled meetings and the respective websites.

AFD representatives will be in attendance at community council meeting to discuss the plan.

§          Eagle River Valley: Gruening Middle School on Wednesday, February 14 at 7:00 pm.

§          Hillside East & Mid Hillside: O’Malley Elementary School on Thursday, Feb 15 at 7:00 pm.

Community Fire Plan Summary

  Preparing for wildfires will save lives and property

  Give your input to decide the best strategy for wildfire mitigation in your neighborhood

  Ensure that your community’s values drive the planning process

  Participate in planning meetings through your community council

  Submit your comments by mail, email or phone

  Log on to www.muni.org/fire1/wildfireplan.cfm