On Saturday, a house caught fire in Eagle River, forcing an evacuation and triggering a complex firefighting operation. At 10:13 p.m., Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue responded to 911 calls reporting flames erupting from a garage on Savage Drive.
Inside the home, the family remained unaware until loud popping sounds signaled something was wrong, prompting a quick emergency evacuation. According to the Anchorage Fire Department, the sounds were from explosions inside the home, not gunfire as neighbors initially thought.
Volunteers quickly reached the mountainside property, but the location’s elevation severely limited their access to essential water for firefighting. Despite the difficult conditions, crews worked tirelessly through the night to contain the fire and stop it from spreading downhill.
AFD said the command on the scene continued for nearly 6 hours and officially ended around 4.10 a.m. on Sunday. Neighbors say the sounds initially startled them, and they initially believed they heard gunfire in the quiet neighborhood. The Fire Department has yet to release photos or detailed statements, although media outlets have submitted requests for information.
