One injured in Aurora Energy power plant fire in Fairbanks
Originally published Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 3:22 p.m.
Updated Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 10:46 p.m.
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FAIRBANKS — Firefighters contended with burning stockpiles of coal inside Aurora Energy’s downtown power plant Thursday afternoon, knocking out the blaze after about five hours.
Plant superintendent Steve Ferree was taken to the emergency room with burns to his arms, face and head, Aurora Energy president Buki Wright said. He was treated and returned to the plant with bandages to check things before heading home. Ferree is the husband of Fairbanks Mayor Terry Strle.
A few hot spots remained Thursday evening as Wright prepared to inspect the upper plant damage and facility staff considered contingency plans.
“Our ability to make power and make heat has not been hampered by this, at least as far as we know,” Wright said. “What has been hampered is our ability to get coal into the plant — without coal, we can’t run.”
Smoke billowed from the plant’s upper tower about 2 p.m.
Firefighters from the city of Fairbanks and University of Alaska Fairbanks responded, with Fort Wainwright crews on standby at the scene.
A first attempt to access burning coal was thwarted as fire flowed beneath the teams trying to reach the coal tower on a stairway. The front crew spilled out into the 85-degree day coated in a thick, black soot for a switch to fresh oxygen bottles and a new plan of attack.
The First Street plant takes coal in on conveyors, then hoists the resource up using a system of buckets. The coal rides another series of conveyors to storage bunkers. The fire was focused in the upper level conveyors, Wright said.
Ladder trucks offered access to the roof, where crews hauled heavy hoses into the tower to drench the coal. Other firefighters laid hose in the street outside, a precaution in case the blaze burst out of the building and an exterior attack would be needed.
Fairbanks Battalion Commander Rich Meyer said it was too soon to tell what ignited the blaze, although coal dust could have exploded.
It’s also too soon to say what equipment survived and what repairs might be needed, Wright said. He didn’t anticipate any disruption in power production.
Golden Valley Electric Association president and CEO Brian Newton said Aurora, at 25 megawatts, is a minor supply source for the Interior utility, but it feeds in some of the least costly power.
“Obviously, we don’t want it down,” Newton said. “It forces us to burn more oil.”
Wright praised firefighters from multiple agencies for their response, and noted calls received from the GVEA, University of Fairbanks and Fort Wainwright power plants, offering a hand.
“It’s nice to know people are out there who are willing to help if they can,” he said.
Contact staff writer Rena Delbridge at 459-7518.
Community Discussion
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There also seems to be a large fire on post.
-James
There's a large fire just off the North Pole end of Badger Road.
So how many fires has this plant had so far? This isn't the first coal dust fire.
I hope that Mr. Ferree and the firefighters are all okay.
There's a fire at the corner of brock and Repp, if you have homes in that area, you better see to them.
Is it structure or tree based?
Whatever your religion, say a short prayer for all the men and women fighting these fires.
I'm a Atheist they'd better be careful....reality is fire is HOT as HELL!
The Repp Road fire is a forest fire and I understand it is spreading quite quickly.
Yes it is. Saw it building up on my way into town this afternoon. Wind is whippin it up. Be careful, be safe you folks out there. Get your papers and critters rounded up just in case.
I just went down to Repp..Troopers still have it blocked off. My power grid goes thorough that. We just got power back about 20min ago. Not sure when it went off, was working outside.
Any updates on this one? I assume it's out, but any info yet in the extent of the damage and the condition of Mr. Ferree?
This has been a rotten day.
i wish the person who was hurt a fast recovery
Mr Ferree doing ok now- he's back home. Fire is out and damage is being assessed. Be so very thankful this did not occur at -50. Or the anti-power plant people would be quite upset to discover they have no heat, no steam, no hot water. Hmmm, the plant isn't our enemy after all.
Glad mr Ferree is doing well and that no more injuries were reported. Those guys work hard and deserve some positive recognition. They put their life on the line every day so we can have heat and electricity. Thank you guys!
coolboy: Thanks for the update.
ditto.
And thanks for the update, News-Miner. Good to hear Mr. Ferree's injuries weren't life threatening.
Thank goodness Steve is fine and the fire is out-now down the business of assessing damage. The NP area is still smelly as of 9:00 this evening-wind shifted. I doubt the fire is out-hopefully it won't affect homes now. It hadn't affected any homes as of yet, but with wind shifting??????
Rest up Steve and get well!!!
Typical for most large industrial operations, despite best laid plans sometimes you just gotta wait for a fire to figure out where to put the next fire-suppression system.
Hint: Monoxide levels inside coal conveyors usually increase greatly just before spontaneous combustion, and it helps to keep the pH alkaline too.
Wishing good luck to all at Aurora Energy, hope repairs go smoothly.
I heard two fire fighters were taken to the hospital from that fire. Is this true?
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