Firefighters warn against re-entering burning buildings after Butte blaze

WASILLA — Firefighters are warning people against re-entering burning buildings after several people reportedly returned to a burning garage on Wednesday in an attempt to save motorcycles and ATVs.

Mat-Su Borough Emergency Services deputy director for fire Ken Barkley said department officials had already spotted the large black plume of smoke rising from an area near the intersection of the Old Glenn Highway and Bodenburg Loop at about 8 a.m. when 911 calls started to come in.

Responding firefighters told residents and neighbors not to re-enter the structure, but some initially refused to listen, so firefighters called Alaska State Troopers to help control the scene, Barkley said. Troopers are frequently notified of house fires and routinely assist with controlling traffic and people in the area, Barkley said.

Barkley acknowledged the desire for people to try to save belongings is understandable.

“Tensions are high and it’s a normal reaction for someone whose property is being destroyed,” he said.

However, rushing into a burning structure to save possessions is never a good idea, Barkley said.

“We tell people to just call 911, make sure everybody’s out of the house, go to a meeting place,” he said.

Residents frequently find it difficult to passively accept the loss of belongings, Barkley said.

“People want to save property," he said.

No one was injured, killed, or displaced by the fire. The blaze eventually spread to two vehicles and a camper next to the garage, though not into the surrounding forest.

The fire was under control within 20 minutes, and extinguished after about an hour, Barkley said.

The fire destroyed a car, a four wheeler, a cab-over camper, and severely damaged the structure. The building's frame survived intact, but other sections of the building were severely damaged, Barkley said.

Residents were able to retrieve a few vehicles before firefighters arrived on scene, Barkley said. Officials didn't have a full inventory of the building's contents.

Contact reporter Brian O’Connor at 352-2270, brian.oconnor@frontiersman.com, or on Twitter @reporterbriano.