Mat-Su

Two Wasilla-area businesses damaged by fire within an hour

PALMER -- Two fires in separate commercial buildings in Wasilla hit within about an hour on Wednesday.

One fire, reported just after noon, broke out in a large commercial building a few miles from Wasilla off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Three people initially said they were trapped inside.

Two got out but one had to jump from a second-story window to escape, acting Mat-Su Borough emergency services director Ken Barkley said. She somehow wasn’t injured, Barkley said.

The building, which houses a utility repair business, was saved but the contents are a total loss, he said.

An earlier fire in a Wasilla strip mall Wednesday reported just after 11 a.m. drew a large response but was contained to one business.

The fire started in Tan Alaska, 321 W. Parks Highway, in a building with five businesses, according to Barkley. The fire was contained to that business after briefly threatening others.

All units from Central Mat-Su Fire Department had been dispatched to the fire, and additional units were coming from West Lakes and Palmer fire departments, he said.

When the second fire came in, additional departments from Butte to Willow were put on “standby” in case of other fires in the borough.

Zaz Hollander

Zaz Hollander is a veteran journalist based in the Mat-Su and is currently an ADN local news editor and reporter. She covers breaking news, the Mat-Su region, aviation and general assignments. Contact her at zhollander@adn.com.

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