6 displaced by morning fire

MEADOW LAKES — A mid-morning fire off of Hollow Nook Drive Thursday displaced Moses and Lisa Tcheripanoff, their four children and assortment of pets.

Jim Carnahan with the West Lakes Fire Department said crews were called to the home to respond to a structure fire at around 10 a.m.

“It started on the exterior and worked its way into the crawlspace area,” Carnahan said.

Crews from the West Lakes, Central Mat-Su and Houston fire departments were on scene in short order.

“Everything worked out real well, we got a good, fast knockdown on it,” he said.

He said it was a good save and estimated damage to the house at between $15,000 and $20,000. That’s despite adverse conditions in the Valley, where winds were high for most of the day.

“Luckily, the fire started on the downwind side of the house, not the upwind side,” he said.

It’s not a lot of fun to be out fighting fires in the wind.

“It’s not, but it’s part of the job — kind of like being a mailman,” Carnahan said.

Carnahan said two people were home at the time and both made it out fine.

Mat-Su Red Cross said it put the family up in a local hotel and provided food and a referral to local thrift stores.

The numerous animals have shelter on the property and will be cared for according to the Red Cross.

The fire resulted mostly in smoke and water damage to the house, according to the Red Cross’ press statement.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.