NORTH STAR FIRE NEWS

PRESS RELEASE

FROM: Jerry Hanson, Deputy Chief DATE: January 16, 2008

North Star Fire Department.

2358 Bradway Road

488-3400

SUBJECT: STRUCTURE FIRE – 3252 Homer Drive

For Immediate Release: North Pole, Alaska.

On Tuesday evening, January 15, 2008, at 9:59 p.m., the North Star Fire Department was dispatched to 3252 Homer Drive, off of West Athena Circle, off of Plack Road, for a reported structure fire.  The North Star Fire Department responded and the first fire engine was on scene within 6 minutes. Firefighters found smoke showing from the eaves of an approximately 5000 square foot 2-1/2 story single-family house with a large attached 3 car garage. The house had two full floors above ground and a full daylight basement. Crews made entry into the structure quickly accessing the attic area and knocking down fire. Fire was venting through the roof at one point, and there was fire the entire length of the attic area. The fire was knocked down and called under control at 11:06 p.m., approximately one hour after arrival.

North Star Fire responded with 4 fire engines from two fire stations, and 13 Firefighters, using a total of 4,000 gallons of water to extinguish this fire. In addition, neighboring fire departments provided 3 additional fire engines and 11 more firefighters. 

Damage to the building was extensive in the roof and attic areas, with deep charring of all the wood framing throughout the attic; however Firefighters were successful in preventing the fire from extending into the living areas. The building is valued at well over $300,000, plus contents, and total damages are estimated to be in excess of $100,000. The home is insured and the family is being supported by relatives and friends in the local area. Mutual aid assistance was provided from the North Pole, Fort Wainwright, and Fairbanks Fire Departments. The home did have smoke alarms located throughout the house, including in the stove pipe chases, and the smoke alarms were very effective in alerting the family to this fire.

It is believed the most likely cause of this fire is related to the wood stove chimney pipe as it passed through combustible ceiling and roof framing. Wood heat is the only source of heat for the occupants. There were no injuries as a result of this fire.

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