The fire department announced Monday that the most likely cause of a fire that consumed the top floor of a downtown apartment building last week was a burning candle left unattended.
Fire Marshal Daniel Jager said in a release that a tenant on the fourth floor of the Gastineau Apartments, 127 South Franklin Street, left a candle burning in a bedroom. The fire began on the floor and spread to the bed, the release states.
The tenant had left the home for a short while and upon returning discovered the fire, the release states.
All residents of the building were evacuated, and no fatalities or life threatening injuries were reported. Five people were treated for smoke inhalation, and a firefighter sustained a concussion during fire fighting efforts.
The Nov. 5 fire displaced 50 or so residents of the apartments, as well as two businesses located on its ground floor, as the building was condemned by the city the next day.
Capital City Fire/Rescue said their investigation was concluded on Monday. The fire did not appear to be intentionally set, Jager said.
It was investigated by CCFR, the Juneau Police Department and members of the Sitka Fire Department, as well as several insurance adjustors and investigators for the property and businesses located inside the structure.
The property was insured. The prescise dollar amount of damages has not yet been determined, Jager said.
The historic building had a total property value of about $1.8 million, according to the City and Borough of Juneau’s Finance Department Assessor’s Database.
• Contact reporter Emily Russo Miller at 523-2263 or at emily.miller@juneauempire.com.
Comments (13)
Add commentleft candle unattended....
hold that tenant accountable.....
Let him who is without sin.....
cast the first stone. I'm sure countthis never, ever, in their entire life, left on by accident a coffee pot, iron, stovetop, or a candle burning, or anything else that through blind luck didn't cause a fire.
Honestly, folks. Before the judgemental and perfect crew piles on, let's think about 1) our own transgressions, and 2) how horrible this person must feel.
Accountable
Having lost all of their own worldly possessions, their home, and certainly ther security, some punishment has already been doled out. I could see some fine for negligence, but that wouldn't amount to much $. But the reality is that they probably weren't rolling in the $ before hand.
Remember to check your own combustables this season (electric cords, chimneies, and the like).
oh my
That is so sad! That tenant must be going through some major emotions right now. But on the other hand, yes accountability should be addressed. Accidents are just that, but it doesn't mean that they go unpunished.
My heart goes out to that tenant, and to all the displaced residents. I hope you all find comfort and shelter and warmth this holiday season.
An absolute IDIOT to leave a candle buring unattended
At least one cat was murdered in the fire and how many people lost meaningful belongings that can not be replaced...all because one idiot not only left a lit candle unattended but decided to go out for a stroll and leave their fellow tenants at risk.
Whoever did it should have to parade around with a sign detailing what they did and what it cost everyone else. At least that punishment will be a warning to others.
There are times when "my bad" doesn't cut it and this is one of them. If this was a train worker who accidentally left a switch off while they took an extra break, people would be calling for blood. If it was a mechanic who forgot to tighten one bolt that caused a 15 car pile up would you say they 're probably feeling bad so they should be left alone and everyone can pay for their own damages?
Is it ironic that a guy whose
Is it ironic that a guy whose screen name is "Do the Right Thing" usually calls for people to do the wrong thing?
Punishing someone for an accident, when that punishment will in no way make things right, is not punishment at all. It's revenge. And revenge has no place in a civilized society.
Not convinced.
Still think it was someone cooking meth with their homemade lab that cause it... Speaking of which, how many people that log onto this site are on ice right now?
No, its raining. Most of the
No, its raining. Most of the ice is gone...
no swimmergirl
i have never left on an appliance or candle unattended, i am more responsible than that. read some of the other posts, apparently i have some folks that agree with me.
PP, hmmm, they "punish" the drunk drivers who cause "accidents" by their own choices and actions. I am sure the justice system doesn't view that as revenge.
Did the apartment building have a sprinkler fire suppression sys
Did the apartment bldg have a sprinkler fire suppression system? And, yes, I have been guilty of leaving a pan on the stove before. Fortunately, I caught it before it was too late. It could have had serious repercussions. Needless to say I have been very careful since. And, I am especially careful with candles. Many years ago, when people were smoking indoors and in their beds, many fires were caused by cigarettes falling in beds. I remember when our cars had no seat belts or shatterproof glass. I also have had firsthand experience with a car accident my grandmother was in. I cringe thinking about all this. I agree with swimmergirl's words in this blog. Let us learn and move on! Thankfully there were no casualties.
countthis - really?
I call BS on your assertion that never, not once, in your entire life, have you made a mistake that might have caused a fire, except that you were lucky, or caught it in time.
Also - drunk driving is illegal, which is why it is not considered an accident, and punishable by law.
You are a piece of work.
Reality Check....
Today people in our town are wondering where they will have Thanksgiving, IF they will have one. They are wondering if they will have a bed in a week, a month. If they will have a place to put up a tree. They probably aren't caring so much about gifts as they are just hoping they can be warm. They may be blaming people but I am certain they are more grateful than not. And that's just one group of people.
There are also families who didn't live in those apartments but this holiday is still a struggle. Will they be able to surprise their kids this year, can they take care of their parents? They wonder every day fire or not if they will have a place to live in a month. Can they make next months rent, will the elec go up again? Will the landlord raise costs to keep up?
People who don't even have that worry who just hope their sleeping bag or car will keep them warm tonight.
Seriously the never ending belittling of each other and need to be right (( I have been guilty of this too )) is just extra pathetic right now.
There are kids fighting for normalcy because some idiot decided to toss her and others decided rocks at cars would be a fun pass time. And all the people on here can do is diminish each other.
In a few days I go to more medical appointments for my kids and everyday it gets closer I am reminded what is important. Maybe some of you need to figure it out as well.