Point Lena house fire ignition source under investigation

The damage to the roof is substantial, but no injuries occured.

Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters seek to extinguish a house fire near Point Lena on March 10, 2021. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters seek to extinguish a house fire near Point Lena on March 10, 2021. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

A hard-fought house fire near Point Lena that began in or around a wood storage shed is under investigation, as the fire marshal seeks the source of the blaze.

The fire spread to the roof, igniting the internal insulation, which fed on itself until it was extinguished, said Capital City Fire/Rescue fire marshal Dan Jager in an email.

“Once in the roof space, the foam insulation and tar paper began to melt and ignite, which turned into a liquid petroleum fire and extended to several confined spaces that were not easily accessible to apply water,” Jager said. “It is the way the home was constructed that just made it difficult for us. We always encourage residential sprinkler systems, but I don’t think this would have made a difference given the location of the flames started outside rather than inside like typical.”

CCFR was on-scene dealing with the fire from 12 minutes after receiving the call just after noon to 6:45 p.m., Jager said. Now, with the fire out, the aftermath begins, including discerning the cause of the fire, which is undetermined at this time.

“There were no occupants at home at the time of the fire. The home was insured and no injuries to firefighters were reported,” Jager said. “The cause of this fire is under investigation. The dollar loss is being calculated and will be several thousands of dollars.”

About 25 firefighters responded to the call, Assistant Chief Ed Quinto said in a phone interview.

The house was insured, Jager said. Neighbors and the Red Cross were able to assist the resident. CCFR also thanked the community in a social media post.

“A huge thanks to the neighbors in this area who were extremely helpful with providing interviews and video and photographs from cellphones to assist with the investigation,” read a CCFR social media post. “Fire investigations are a team effort and the team consists of members of the community as well.”

UPDATE: Structure Fire Island View Drive
The CCFR Fire Marshal Office is conducting an origin and investigation for a…

Posted by Capital City Fire Rescue on Thursday, 11 March 2021

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast for the week of March 25

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

The aging Tustumena ferry, long designated for replacement, arrives in Homer after spending the day in Seldovia in this 2010 photo. (Homer News file photo)
Feds OK most of state’s revised transportation plan, but ferry and other projects again rejected

Governor’s use of ferry revenue instead of state funds to match federal grants a sticking point.

The Shopper’s Lot is among two of downtown Juneau’s three per-hour parking lots where the cash payments boxes are missing due to vandalism this winter. But as of Wednesday people can use the free ParkSmarter app to make payments by phone. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Pay-by-phone parking for downtown Juneau debuts with few reported complaints

App for hourly lots part of series of technology upgrades coming to city’s parking facilities.

A towering Lutz spruce, center, in the Chugach National Forest is about to be hoisted by a crane Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015, for transport to the West Lawn of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to be the 2015 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service)
Tongass National Forest selected to provide 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

Eight to 10 candidate trees will be evaluated, with winner taking “whistlestop tour” to D.C.

Annauk Olin, holding her daugher Tulġuna T’aas Olin, and Rochelle Adams pose on March 20, 2024, after giving a presentation on language at the Alaska Just Transition Summit in Juneau. The two, who work together at the Alaska Public Interest Research Group’s Language Access program, hope to compile an Indigenous environmental glossary. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Project seeks to gather Alaska environmental knowledge embedded in Indigenous languages

In the language of the Gwich’in people of northeastern Alaska, the word… Continue reading

The room where the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee holds its meeting sits empty on Tuesday. A presentation about an increase in the number of inmate deaths in state custody was abruptly canceled here. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Republican lawmakers shut down legislative hearing about deaths in Alaska prisons

Former commissioner: “All this will do, is it will continue to inflame passions of advocacy groups.”

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, March 25, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Employees at the Kensington Mine removing tailings from Johnson Creek on Feb. 17 following a Jan. 31 spill of about 105,000 gallons of slurry from the mine, although a report by the mine’s owners states about half slurry reached the creek 430 meters away. (Photo from report by Coeur Alaska)
Emergency fisheries assessments sought after 105,000-gallon tailings spill at Kensington Mine

Company says Jan. 31 spill poses no risk to Berners Bay habitat, but NOAA seeks federal evaluation.

Dozens of people throw colors in the air and at each other during a Holi festival gathering Monday night outside Spice Juneau Indian Cuisine. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Holi festival in Juneau revives colorful childhood memories for some, creates them for others

Dozens toss caution and colored cornstarch to the wind in traditional Hindu celebration of spring

Most Read