Garage Fire Injures One

A mid afternoon fire was reported around 2:20 p.m. today, November 11, 2008, at 3207 Dorbrandt St.  Callers to 911 reported fire and smoke billowing from the midtown ranch style home.  Eleven units from the Anchorage Fire Department were dispatched within moments of the first call.

Fire crews from the Spenard Station were on location within two minutes and reported the garage as well involved and called a working fire.  Fireman began attacking the blaze from inside the living area of the home which prevented the fire from advancing into the home.  Additional arriving crews assisted with accessing the fire from outside the garage, ventilating and securing utilities.  The fire was brought under control in about thirty minutes.

Fire officials reported there were two occupants at home when the blaze began.  One of them is believed to have been in the garage working on an automobile draining gas.  The cause of the blaze is likely related to vapors from the gasoline being ignited by a heater unit also in the garage.   One of the occupants reported hearing a small explosion when the fire began.  A male patient received burns to the hands and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. 

The fire was contained to the garage area of the home, with some credit to the fire door between the two areas.  Extensive damage to the garage is estimated at $25,000.  Utility companies were summoned and assisted with restoring power and heat allowing the residents to continue living in the home.  No assistance from the Red Cross was needed.  A pet cat was found alive and unharmed in the structure.

This incident is a classic example of how a fire can ignite with unintentional acts and oversight of the right combination of elements for fires to begin.  The vapors from the gasoline within the confined area of the garage accumulated to the right amount and once the heater kicked on the resulting combustion occurred.  Fire officials remind home-owners when using or working with hazardous chemicals to ensure the work area is well ventilated.