Date: December 3, 2018
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska (USA)
Address: 875 Alumni Drive Bldg. 802, 99709
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Coal Dust
Industry: Higher Learning
Equipment: No Details
Company: University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, the University of Alaska Fairbanks is a learning institution located on 2,250-acres near Fairbanks. The Ben J. Atkinson Building, where the fire occurred, includes a central heating and coal-fired power plant that supplies all the electricity, water and heat to the university.
Incident Description:
On December 3, 2018, WebCenter 11 reported a fire at the old power plant facility at the University Of Alaska Fairbanks.
Fire departments from the Fairbanks, Fort Wainwright, and University were sent to the scene. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported that the fire had broken out in the coal ash storage area and flames and smoke were visible from the top of the coal ash handling area.
The fire had spread into the walls but the crews were able to extinguish it. At one point they had to remove damaged debris to better access the flames.
Dust is believed to have contributed to the fire. Because it was contained, the University’s boiler system was undamaged. One power plant worker experienced a minor injury when he hit his head, but medical personnel evaluated him on site and released him.
The cause is still under investigation.
Sources:
WebCenter 11
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
