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Fire, code enforcement officials warn of risks from vacant, occupied abandoned buildings after series of large fires
Summary
Fire and code enforcement officials described recent large fires at occupied vacant buildings, said roughly 90 properties are registered as vacant, and urged the public to report dangerous structures through AnchorWorks; officials said code enforcement staffing and legal steps to compel owners are priorities.
Anchorage Fire Department and municipal code enforcement on March 5 told the Public Health and Safety Committee that recent large fires in vacant or illegally occupied buildings have revealed safety gaps and a need for stronger enforcement of property‑owner responsibilities.
"It was a very close call," Chief Saraghi of the Anchorage Fire Department said about the America's Best Hotel fire, describing a building without sprinklers, smoke detection, electricity or fire doors that officials estimated contained 30–40 occupants. He said such structures endanger both occupants and first responders.
Why it matters: Officials said occupied vacant buildings impose a public‑safety risk,…
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