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The sole occupant of a mobile home that burned in Valdez Thursday afternoon escaped the fire unharmed, but authorities believe only one of three dogs in the home got out alive.
Fire crews were informed of the blaze at 100 Gulkana St. shortly before 3 p.m. Thursday, according to a statement from the City of Valdez. Arriving fire crews found the home and nearby buildings already evacuated and brought the fire under control after about two hours.
"One adult male reported being present in the involved home when the fire began," city officials wrote. "He and a large black dog escaped without injuries. Two additional small dogs present in the trailer remain unaccounted for and are presumed deceased."
The home that burned was found to be uninhabitable. A nearby mobile home suffered minor damage during the fire.
The couple who lived at the home stayed with family members Thursday night. The Red Cross of Alaska was contacted to assist them; several Valdez businesses, as well as the local chapter of the Alaska State Firefighters Association, also stepped forward to offer help.
The fire's cause remains under investigation.