A fire in Stebbins Wednesday morning destroyed a city-owned maintenance facility. Stebbins’ City Manager Daisy Katcheak confirmed there were no injuries.
People who work in the building first reported the fire around 9 a.m. The fire consumed the approximately 2,500-square-foot building and much of its contents before the blaze could be brought under control.
The city leased the shop to Tapraq Rock, a local construction company. Tapraq Project Manager Kelin Adams said his crew did their best to save the building.
“We tried to put it out but couldn’t,” he said. “We had, as you can imagine, welding machines, lots of specialty tools, and you know, the works. Really, really, big loss.”
They saved some equipment, like a Terex rock truck. But other valuable items were lost, including a medium excavator.
The fire is another setback for the western Alaska village following a blaze that destroyed the local school last June.
“Another disaster and it's disheartening, but you know, we are perserverers. We're going to just move forward and continue,” Adams said.
Adams said he expects the fire to smolder for a few days before the crew can begin cleanup work.
An Alaska fire marshal is expected to investigate the cause of the fire.