A parked van sparked, igniting a fire Wednesday afternoon that burned a building at 525 Stedman Street, Ketchikan.
Traffic had to be rerouted for several hours from the busy Ketchikan road – a primary route for most vehicles, including tour-related traffic.
No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.
Assistant Fire Chief Scott Brainard said the initial report that came in was of the van on fire.
“On arrival, it was fully involved, with flame impingement against the side of the building,” he said. “And the side of the building was igniting. At that time, the fire was getting into the attic space of the building.”
City fire crews, along with crews from North and South Tongass Fire Departments responded, and Brainard said the fire was extinguished at about 2 p.m.
Ketchikan Fire Department crews checked the building for hot spots
It’s unknown how the van caught on fire.
The cause is under investigation, Brainard said.
According to the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assessment Department’s online property search, the building is owned by Villa Machini Inc.