On Saturday, June 28th, at approximately 1140 hrs, the Anchorage Fire Department responded to a fire at 256 W 23rd Ave.

A resident of the eight plex called to report smoke coming from an electrical outlet in unit #2 that had been discovered by the onsite manager.

E01 was the first arriving apparatus and confirmed light smoke showing in the wall on the 2nd floor. E01 established command and initiated a fast attack. T05 performed a primary search for residents and R04 was assigned to RIC (Rapid Intervention Crew). E01 announced fire under control at 1201 hrs. The cause of the fire and  estimated cost of damage is still unknown at this time.

For further information contact Public Information Officer Cleo Hill.

Contact Cleo Hill, 317-8684

June 25, 2008

Three Escape from Fairview Fire

Shortly before 6 AM this morning, a fire erupted in a Fairview six-plex.  Several passersby called 911 to report fire from the third floor of an apartment building in the Juneau and 9^th Avenue area.  One caller reported seeing people jumping out a window from the top floor.

Emergency Units the Airport Heights, Downtown, Tudor Road and Muldoon fire stations responded and were on location at the burning building within minutes.  Smoke and fire were heavy on the top floor and beginning to spread to the exit hallway.  Fire crews contained the fire to one unit and other apartments were unaffected by the fire. 

2 occupants of the burned unit were transported to an area hospital for evaluation; one occupant was evaluated on scene.   The occupants did have to escape from the fire by jumping from their bedroom on the third floor of the building.

Fire crews were able to secure 5 cats from a lower unit, 2 are still missing, and presumed hiding.   

There was approximately $40,000.00 damage to the building.  The Anchorage Chapter of the American Red Cross has stepped in to assist the occupants of the burned apartment.

The fire is under investigation and no determination has been released at this time.

Structure Fire 6463 Thurman Street

6-8-08

Contact Tom Kempton 317-7233

11 units from the Anchorage Fire Department were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 12:50 AM Sunday.  The first arriving unit was from the Jewel lake Fire Station, Engine 7. 

The initial report had the home 60% involved in fire and flames through the roof area. Firefighters made an interior attack once they were able to search the entire structure to make sure that the occupants had safety escaped. The main seat of the fire was in the attic and overhead areas on the second floor of this single family home under remodel construction.

Firefighters were unable to gain access to the fire in the attic area and as the fire grew in intensity the decision to fight the fire defensively from outside the structure was made. The danger of the roof collapsing was evident as one firefighter was slightly injured when interior ceiling materials fell on him while they were trying to extinguish the fire from the interior. The firefighter was examined and did not require treatment at the scene.  

Eventually a aerial platform with a high intensity water stream was deployed to knock down the roof and attic fire and bring it under control. The aerial ladder was extended from the road below the house and beneath power and utility lines to affect the extinguishment of the fire.  It took more than an hour, 11 pieces of fire apparatus and more than 23 firefighters to bring this fire under control.

Firefighters estimate the damage to the structure at more than $200,000 and at least $100,000 to the contents.