Two Kupreanof Island

cabins destroyed by fire

 

June 15 , 2006.

Two cabins were destroyed by fire, which broke out at about 9 p.m. Tuesday night. Bob Bailey of Alaska Sport Haven said he believes the fire started in the generator shed adjacent to his lodge between lights 31 and 32 on Wrangell Narrows on Kupreanof Island.

The cabins are located in a cove south of Green Rocks Lodge. Bailey said his generator shed, tool shed, personal home and lodge, were destroyed in the fire. A neighboring cabin owned by Irene Raye was also destroyed.

Bailey said the generator shed fire spread to a 500-gallon diesel fuel tank 20-feet away and then ignited a large propane tank. Flames traveled up to 40-feet away to burn other structures. The propane tank vented as it should have, and shot flames 100-feet into the air, according to Bailey. The fire spread to nearby trees as well.

According to the lodge owner, the generator shed was supposedly protected by three self-actuating fire extinguishers.

Bailey explained that without generated power, he could not operate pumps to fight the fires. After the propane and diesel fuels were consumed the fire went out on its own, explained Bailey.

Bailey had three guests at his lodge who were housed by neighbors. “My neighbors were very nice and put all of us up for the night,” he commented.

At one point as many as 40 people showed up at the fire scene.

The property was insured.

Bailey wore bandages on his hand and arm protecting burns he received when he attempted to turn off fuel valves during the fire.

Only the American flag and pole survived the inferno. Bailey likened the scene to the famous 9/11 photo showing an American flag flying over the Twin Towers rubble in New York City.