Wasilla Fred Meyer hopes to be open this afternoon

WASILLA — The Wasilla Fred Meyer, located at 1501 Parks Highway, began to fill with smoke and was evacuated on Sunday afternoon. At about 1:10 p.m., Fred Meyer employees called 9-1-1 and notified the authorities of a fire in the men’s bathroom, whereupon officials instructed Fred Meyer employees to evacuate the building immediately.

Emergency responders from Central Mat-Su, West Lakes and Greater Palmer arrived within three minutes and began to extinguish the fire, believed to be an electrical fire within the wall of the men’s bathroom, but still unconfirmed as the matter is under investigation, according to Deputy Director of Emergency Services Ken Barkley.

“The fire was in the pipe chase in the wall in the men’s room. There was heavy smoke in the place until they could get that area opened up to extinguish it. To ventilate a large structure like that is pretty difficult so it takes time to get it ventilated,” said Barkley.

As of Monday afternoon, the store was still closed, though they hoped to be open later in the afternoon, a representative said.