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.