Update: Fatal fire in Fairbanks claims one life

• News Home
• More from News of the North

Friday, March 24, 2023 at 2:27 PM

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Whatsapp

Fairbanks, Alaska (KINY) - On Friday, Mar. 24, at 11:07 a.m., Fairbanks Emergency Communication Center received an emergency call reporting a structure fire in the 300 block of Bonnifield Street.

Update 03/29/2023:

The victim was identified as 72-year-old Michael Stanton.

Stanton's body was sent to the State of Alaska Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy.

The Fairbanks Fire Department extends its deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Mr. Stanton.

No foul play is suspected with this fire.

No other injuries were reported related to this fire.

Mutual aid was provided by the University Fire Department and Fort Wainwright Fire Department.

The fire remains under investigation by the Fairbanks Fire Department acting Deputy Fire Marshal with the assistance of the University Fire Department’s Fire Marshal.

Additional fire investigation assistance was provided by the State of Alaska Division of Fire & Life Safety’s Fairbanks-based Deputy Fire Marshal and Fairbanks Police Department.

Fire investigators have discovered that the home did not appear to contain smoke alarms.

Working smoke alarms are critically important for the early detection and warning of fires when they start.

New smoke alarms are sealed with a 10-year battery and can come with functions to assist those that have hearing or visual impairments or difficulties.

If residents have questions about their smoke alarms, they are encouraged to contact the Fairbanks Fire Department at 907-450-6614 or the American Red Cross Fairbanks Office at 907-456-5937.

Original 03/24/2023:

It was reported that a person might be trapped inside.

Fairbanks Fire Department immediately responded and the first fire engine arrived within four minutes of being dispatched.

Firefighters found the house fully engulfed in fire, with flames coming from the front and the rear of the structure.

Firefighters began fighting the fire while one team of firefighters simultaneously provided a search of the structure.

Unfortunately, one deceased male was found and removed from the house.

The fire was controlled in approximately 40 minutes.

The name of the deceased victim is being withheld pending notification to the family.

The fire and cause of death are still under investigation.

More from News of the North

• Emergency Services are Responding to an Accident at the Fred Meyer Intersection

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Emergency services are on scene at Egan outbound at Fred Meyer for a motor vehicle crash involving a Maroon Dodge 1500 and a blue Ford van

• Hōkūleʻa to be welcomed in Juneau before launching a four year voyage

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Hōkūleʻa, the legendary voyaging canoe that revived the lost art of Polynesian voyaging and navigation and sparked a cultural renaissance in Hawaiʻi, is preparing to embark on a four-year circumnavigation of the Pacific. A welcome ceremony is to be held Saturday to honor her arrival in Juneau.

• Alaska state school board advances proposal to ban trans girls from girls high school sports teams

  Juneau, Alaska (Alaska Beacon) - An almost-unanimous decision will open a 30-day public comment period on the idea.

• 17th Coast Guard District welcomes Rear Admiral Megan Dean

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Coast Guard’s 17th District conducted a change-of-command ceremony Friday at the Alaska Army National Guard Army Aviation Operating Facility in Juneau.

• Building saved on Franklin Street due to sprinkler system

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - On Friday an incident occurred at a building on Franklin Street, but fire safety systems saved the building.

• Alaska State Troopers investigate the murder of 2 women found near Trapper Creek

  Fairbanks, Alaska (KINY) - On May 24, 30-year-old Fairbanks resident Sunday Powers was reported missing to the Alaska State Troopers.

• Update: Basin Road Trestle Bridge now open to all traffic

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Basin Road Trestle Bridge will be closed to all traffic including pedestrians between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven days a week, beginning Jun. 1 due to structural repair work.

• Draft decision for Ward Lake improvement plans now available

  Ketchikan, Alaska (KINY) -The Ward Lake Recreation Area is set to see some significant improvements happening as soon as Aug. of this year.

• Alaska Airlines adds new nonstop between Honolulu and Seattle area’s second airport

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Airlines is celebrating more aloha with new nonstop service between Seattle/Everett and Honolulu starting this fall – their first flight connecting Paine Field-Snohomish County Airport and the Hawaiian Islands.

• CBJ Assembly recruiting experienced leader to serve as next City Manager

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly is recruiting for an experienced leader and dedicated public servant to serve as the next City Manager.

• Murkowski, Whitehouse introduce Don Young Veterans Advancing Conservation Act in honor of former congressman

  Washington, D.C. (KINY) - U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), co-chairs of the Senate Oceans caucus, with Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joining as original co-sponsors, introduced the Don Young Veterans Advancing Conservation Act (DY VACA), legislation.

• State Board of Education holds quarterly meeting in Soldotna

  Soldotna, Alaska (KINY) - On Jun. 7 and 8, the Alaska State Board of Education & Early Development held its quarterly meeting in Soldotna.