PRESS RELEASE
FROM: Ernie Misewicz DATE: February 1, 2007
For Immediate Release:
North Pole, AK: At approximately 1:08 AM today the North Star
Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a possible structure fire at the
Badger Den off of Old Badger Road.
First fire unit on scene three minutes later reported extremely heavy
smoke coming from the soffits and eaves of the building. The building was
almost not visible from the road due to the smoke. A second alarm was struck
and mutual aid engine companies and/or water tenders were requested from the
North Pole, Steese, Fort Wainwright, and Fairbanks City Fire Departments. As
the first engines arrived heavy fire was found coming thru some windows on the
back side of the building. Due to the size of the building and amount of smoke
and fire a third alarm was struck and additional mutual aid engine companies
were requested from the University and Chena Goldstream Fire Departments, as
well as a second engine company from Fairbanks City FD.
Once hose lines were deployed crews forced entry into the
building. Fire fighters found heavy fire conditions in the “bar / dining” area
of the building. Heavy smoke was found through out the remaining portions of
the building. The fire was brought under control with-in one hour. Fire
fighters remained on scene for over four hours extinguishing smoldering fires
in the ceiling roof insulation and concealed spaces of the walls. At one point
during the early part of the fight all fire fighting crews were evacuated from
the building for fear the fire had caused structural damage to the roof system
and collapse was possible. Once the smoke cleared and the roof area was
examined, fire fighters again entered the building and completed
extinguishment.
Fifteen volunteer fire fighters from North Star Fire responded
with six engines. Mutual Aid apparatus and personnel from Fairbanks Fire, North
Pole Fire, Steese Volunteer Fire, Chena Goldstream Fire, UofA Fire and Ft.
Wainwright Fire responded. Also the Red Cross responded with their ERV to
provide assistance to all the fire fighters involved in the incident.
The building sustained heavy smoke damage throughout, and
there is fire damage to the bar and grill area. There were no injuries. Investigators have determined the fire
originated in the rear portion of the bar / dining area and the cause for the fire
is still under investigation.
