Fire burns Wasilla landmark

WASILLA -- The hotel rooms of the Windbreak Hotel, Caf/ and Bar were completely destroyed by a fire that lasted about four hours Monday. No one was killed or seriously injured in the blaze which attracted scores of onlookers and was fought by about 50 firefighters from seven Mat-Su Borough fire stations.

"We are all sad because our landmark is burning down," said 22-year-old Lisa Cameron, a waitress at the Windbreak.

A group of firefighter's from the Central Mat-Su Fire Department were dining at the Windbreak when the fire was accidentally started by a plumber, who was repairing damaged pipes that had frozen during the weekend.

Battalion Chief Jack Krill Jr. said he called dispatchers on his radio after he walked around the buildings and spotted smoke coming from the eaves on the hotel, which is above the Windbreak's bar.

"There were four [firefighters] eating lunch and we saw a couple of fire extinguishers running by," Krill said. "The fire was in the wall in a bathroom up there."

Dispatchers logged the call to the Windbreak at 1:29 p.m. It was about 4:30 by the time the fire was out, according to Krill, who said the last of the firefighters left at about 6 p.m.

Several employees watched while the hotel rooms above the Windbreak's bar burned. One man in a chef's jackets was discussing arrangements for a refrigerator truck for the food in the restaurant's walk-in coolers over his cell phone.

Windbreak manager Jeff Bush said two of the businesses owners were out of town, but are now on their way back once he called them with the news. Bush said he has about 40 employees and also said hotel tenants had all checked out after pipes froze last weekend.

"[The fire] was another problem in a week of problems," Bush said. The plumber had a fire extinguisher on hand while he worked and the Windbreak employees thought they had the fire put out early on, according to Bush. The workers also reported the fire, Bush said.

"They used the fire extinguisher. It looked like they had it out," Bush said. "They had called for the fire department immediately."

In addition to the plumber, roofers had been repairing damage from the wind storm when the fire broke out. Some tools, an air-compressor, packages of shingles and a boom box had been abandoned on the roof, while the roofers took an extended, unexpected break.

Firefighters attacked the fire through the east wall of the hotel, which stands one story taller than the roof of the restaurant. They also aimed nozzles down from ladder-truck positions that were extended higher than the hotel, but out of the flame's reach.

Ladders were carried to the restaurant's roof up the sides of the hotel's east wall and firefighters aimed water into the burning hotel from positions on the ladders. Axes and chain saws were used to cut holes in the wall. When a new hole was cut, flames would reach out before being knocked back with water. The firefighters worked the fire in shifts, trading places in small groups like a hockey team changing lines.

Cameron watched while firefighters worked to keep the blaze from spreading to the restaurant. She said she joined the Windbreak staff to bus tables for her mother, Roxanne Mock, more than 10 years ago. She said the business has an excellent team.

"My mom started here in '89 or '90," Cameron said. "I started to working here to be near my mom. I have four brothers and I didn't want to be a tomboy."

The Windbreak Caf/ re-opened in time for breakfast on Thursday. The hotel rooms were a total loss. Bush -- who started as a cook 23 years ago -- said Thursday morning that the bar had severe water damage and that he didn't know yet how soon it would re-open.

"I'm just now working on schedules," Bush said. "We're trying to keep as many people working as we can."