by Greg Lincoln
Two house fires devastated Bethel within 24-hours of each other.
On Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at approximately 2:00 a.m., the Bethel Fire Department responded to 5748 Neqleq Street in Kasayuli Subdivision for the report of a house fire. The department initially responded with one Class-A Fire Engine with two personnel.
Upon arrival, firefighters observed a two-story, wood framed, single family residence which was fully involved with fire. Firefighters confirmed that all human family members were able to escape and the reported injuries were a dog and multiple chickens that perished.
Firefighters deployed hose lines to attack the fire and protect exposures, called for additional personnel, apparatus, and water trucks to respond to the scene. Additional personnel responded with a ladder truck, an ambulance, and multiple City of Bethel water trucks. The fire was brought under control just before 5:00 a.m. and extinguished shortly after. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The members of the Bethel Fire Department and the Bethel Volunteer Emergency Services Association would like to give our condolences to the family for the loss of their home, pet, and livestock.
On Thursday, June 29th, 2023 another fire took place in Tundra Ridge on Ptarmigan Street at approximately 11pm. A concerned neighbor quickly entered the home to alert the occupants of the fire. The two-story home was destroyed but thankfully the occupants including their cat survived. The cat hid under the sofa and miraculously dodged the flames. Thank you to all the responders who helped put out the fires.
The Bethel Fire Department would like to remind the community to have a home fire escape plan and practice it frequently. Thank you to the responding firefighters, City of Bethel water truck drivers, and the members of the public for their assistance during these incidents.
If anyone has any information regarding these incidents, please contact Lieutenant Warren, AK-CFI, at (907) 543-2131 or send an email to [email protected].
