ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A fire broke out at a fuel dock in the south-central Alaska community of Whittier on Tuesday, injuring two people and sinking a boat.
Fletcher Morrison, a fisherman who docks his boat at the Whittier Harbor, was in the area when the fire broke out about shortly before noon, the Anchorage Daily News reported. Morrison described hearing a bang and seeing a boat fueling up at the dock go up in flames. The boat sank, he said.
Emergency teams from Whittier and Girdwood responded, a dispatcher for Whittier police and emergency services confirmed to the newspaper. Girdwood Fire Chief Michelle Weston said medical personnel evaluated two people who were then taken by a medical evacuation service.
Weston said Tuesday afternoon that the fire was under control.
According to the City of Whitter, Shoreside Petroleum, Inc. has reopened the fueling stations topside, in the Harbor Loop. This does mean you’ll have to trailer your boat, drive over to get fuel, and relaunch, but fuel is once again available. The fuel dock, however, is closed due to a fire until further notice.
*Photo courtesy of City of Whitter