Anchorage Fire Department

Press Release

Contact Tom Kempton

907-317-7233

3-17-2007

11:30 PM

Single Family House Fire

4000 Lakeridge Court

Caused by Improperly Discarded Cigarette

E07 arrived on location at a two story wood frame single family dwelling with heavy smoke and flames venting from the second floor in the rear if the structure. The house had been evacuated. E-7 pulled a preconnect gave a size up, and assignments to incoming units. Due to the fact that we did not have a RIC (Rescue Intervention Crew),  on location attack had to be delayed until enough units arrived. E-7 made a fire attack once RIC was in place, the fire was confined to the second floor. E-7 Captain spoke with a APD officer that was first on location and had interviewed the occupants. All occupants attest to the fact that two girls were smoking up stairs and one flicked a cigarette outside and the other put it in a can to extinguish it. The occupants went down stairs to join their friends. They heard a smoke detector go off. One resident went upstairs to investigate and found fire on or near the bed. He advised everyone to get out and call 911.

11 units responded and the fire was called under control within thirty minutes. The fire was mostly contained to the bedroom areas on the second floor.  The fire did extend into the attic area but did not burn through the roof.  There were no reported injuries. Firefighters estimate the damage to be $30,000 for the structure and nearly $10,000 for furnishings and personal items.  Firefighters were on location early into the morning and went back later to complete a post-fire check to insure that the fire was completely extinguished in walls and ceiling insulation areas.