Fire engulfs home at 6 Mile Zimovia

Sentinel writer

A house fire at 6 Mile Zimovia Highway on Tuesday, July 2 destroyed a home and saw the Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department call an “all-out” for its firefighters in an effort to save the structure.

The fire, which began at approximately 2 p.m., consumed the entire upper level of a home owned by Doug and Gail Thomas. The blaze is reported to have started in the rear portion of the home and quickly spread into the ceiling, requiring a response from both the WVFD Fire Hall and Zimovia Highway substation.

According to Fire Department Chief Tim Buness, the response by his crews was quick and massive.

“We had one engine respond from the substation which was there in less than five minutes from when the call was received,” Buness said. “Our second engine arriving from town came in at about the seven minute mark. We had 29 volunteer firefighters working on the fire and at least 12 other individuals that were helping us out.”

Buness added that the roof was essentially burned off the home, leaving substantial structural damage – though he added that the home could possibly be rebuilt.

“The loss of contents is a bigger issue that what happened to the house,” Buness said. “I don’t think it’s a total loss. Some of the stud walls need to be replaced in the back corner where it started, and obviously the whole roof assembly needs to be changed.”

Buness said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. No one was injured in the blaze.