(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska – Tuesday morning, a resident of 142 Austin Street was awakened by her pet rabbit scratching her chest. Upon waking, she realized her house was full of smoke. She roused her daughter, and the two exited the house. 

The first call came in to 911 dispatchers at 4:09 a.m. and the caller reported “smoke and flames coming from the residence”.  Ketchikan Police officers arrived on scene and reported fire coming from the basement of the house and that all the occupants were outside and accounted for. 

The first fire crews arrived at 4:13 a.m. and observed heavy smoke and flames from the basement.  Attack lines were stretched to the home and the fire was brought under control quickly according to a news release from Captain Tracy Mettler, Ketchikan Fire Department.

Mettler reported the basement of the home suffered moderate damage from smoke, heat, and water.   There was light water damage to some areas of the main level and smoke damage throughout. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and is undetermined at this time. 

Eighteen Ketchikan Fire Department members responded along with mutual aid provided by North and South Tongass Volunteer Fire Departments. The three departments combined sent 4 engines, a ladder truck, 4 ambulances, a rescue unit and 33 personnel to the scene. 

There were no injuries to humans.

The rabbit succumbed to the smoke and did not survive.

Source of News: 

Ketchikan Fire Department

SitNews ©2011
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

Articles & photographs that appear in SitNews may be protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without written permission from and payment of any required fees to the proper sources.