On Saturday night, a massive fire ripped through the town of Haines in the Southeast, destroying several stores and residences and incurring millions of dollars in damage. The Alaska State Troopers reported that the Haines Volunteer Fire Department and the Haines Borough Police Department responded to a fire at the intersection of Haines Highway and Mud Bay. In addition to the second-story apartments, the building had several businesses, such as Haines’ Quick Shop, Outfitter Liquor, Outfitter Sporting Goods, and Mike’s Bikes & Boards. Everyone safely evacuated the building, and fortunately, no one sustained injuries. The fire caused an estimated $3.5 million in damages, destroying the structure and its contents.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy’s Facebook post conveyed his sympathies for the victims of the Haines commercial fire, who lost their homes and businesses. This note arrived as the community struggled to cope with the immense devastation wrought by the fire. The inquiry into the fire’s origins has expanded to include a deputy fire marshal. At this time, Alaska State Troopers have detected no criminal conduct related to the incident. Yet, investigators are still combing through the evidence at the scene to piece together what happened.
The Haines commercial fire had a devastating effect on the lives of the people and businesses it destroyed, impacting the economy as a whole. Following this catastrophic incident, the community must confront the daunting task of rebuilding. Meanwhile, first responders and local officials are working long hours to finish the investigation and determine the total damage. Although officials are actively investigating the situation, they have not yet identified the cause of the fire. Nevertheless, those who have suffered significant losses continue to enjoy the support of their community as new details emerge.
This news story was originally published by Alaska´s News Source.
