Alaska State Troopers received a report of a structure fire off of Lottie Drive, near mile 7.5 of Kalifornsky Beach Road, on April 6th, 2023, at approximately 5:27 a.m.
Alaska State Troopers, Central Emergency Services and Kenai Fire Department responded to the residence.
Chief Roy Browning with Central Emergency Services provided further details;
“This morning Central Emergency Services was dispatched at 5:28 AM for a reported fire off of Lottie Drive, which is approximately miles 7 1/2 K Beach Road. City of Kenai provided auto aid. On arrival of the first engine was apparent that the house that we were dispatched to was leveled, fully involved in that, leveled the entire structure was on the ground. At that time, 21 firefighters, 5 fire trucks had responded to the scene and started fire extinguishment and during the process of extinguishing the fire, reported that one victim who was later located to have been inside the the structure was located and was found deceased. And at that time the Alaska State troopers were notified and our fire investigators requested the state fire Marshall’s office to respond. And we are in the process of investigating the fire and the only details that we have is was possibly from the thinking or possible propane gas leak that maybe have been the reason that the fire was exploded.”
According to the Alaska State Troopers, further investigation revealed that a propane gas leak was the cause of the explosion and fire.
The homeowner and sole occupant, Stephen Okkonen, 69 of Kasilof, was found deceased in the residence.
The next of kin has been notified.