Families displaced, cars badly damaged in Wasilla 4-plex fire

WASILLA — A Monday evening fire at a Wasilla four-plex forced almost two dozen individuals out of their homes for the night, damaged one unit and caused substantial damage to garaged vehicles at the location.

According to Mat-Su Deputy Fire Director Ken Barkley, approximately three-dozen Central Mat-Su and Palmer fire department personnel were called to 5701 East Beaver Avenue around 6:50 p.m. Monday.

“The fire was about 25 percent involved when firefighters arrived,” Barkley said. “Smoke was coming out of the attached garage.”

Barkley said despite the fact that fire personnel were at the scene until approximately 11:30 p.m., damage to the living units was held to a minimum with only one affected. He said the garaged vehicles didn’t fare as well with several substantially damaged.

“Quick action (by the firefighters) kept damages to a minimum. There were no injuries,” Barkley said. “They used Class A foam to fight it.”

Class A foam is capable of acting on suppressing ignited fuels approximately 20 times faster than water.

According to Lisa Miller from Red Cross of Alaska in Wasilla, 13 adults and nine children were assisted at the scene. A North Bear Street Baptist Church temporary station was closed after Red Cross volunteers got everyone settled into hotels for the evening. Red Cross caseworker volunteers were following up with displaced individuals Tuesday afternoon.

In addition to North Bear Street Baptist, Wasilla Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Salvation Army of Alaska assisted those in need.

Barkley said the cause of the blaze remains under investigation.