Despite the heavy smoke, residents will be able to return to 2 of the 4 units, says Fire Chief Dave Miller. (Nick Galanin photo)
One man sustained minor injuries after a four-plex caught fire on Lance Drive in Sitka on Sunday afternoon (6-26-16).
Sitka Fire Chief Dave Miller says the fire at 232 Lance Drive may have started in a closet. The cause is under investigation, but he says foul-play is not suspected
The fire burned the upper left-hand unit as you face the building. Miller says the apartment was fully engulfed by the time the fire department arrived around 1:30 PM.
All other occupants escaped without injury. Miller says some will even be allowed to return home.
“The two units on the right-hand side will be occupiable. There’s no smoke or water damage to them. The unit below got water damage. They’ll be working on it. They’re going to take everything out and work on it.”
Miller says the fire department sent 2 engines and an ambulance. About 20 firefighters responded. They contained the blaze within a half-hour.
One engine remained behind at the Fire Hall.
“Well we have a new fire engine that just arrived last week, but we did not use it on this fire. It’s not ready to roll yet. It doesn’t have hoses on it.”
Miller says the new Fire Engine No. 1 will be in service in 2-3 weeks. There are no plans yet for the disposal of the old Fire Engine No. 1.
