Fire destroys 2 houses, damages 3rd on Alaska Street in Dayton

Crews were dispatched around 5:20 p.m. to a fire reported in the 200 block of Alaska Street, according to the Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center.

“A large, black plume of smoke with actual fire showing from a far distance” greeted firefighters as they left firehouses across the city, said District Chief Mike Fasnacht of the Dayton Fire Department.

“First arriving crews found two structures well involved — one fully involved.” he said.

Fire consumed a house under renovation at 264 Alaska St., where all that was left was its chimney. Fire spread to the house next door at 266 Alaska St., which also was destroyed. What’s left standing will be accessed to determine whether an emergency demolition is in order to protect public safety.

The fire also broke window glass and caused other heat damage to the exterior of the house on the other side of the vacant house under renovation, Fasnacht said.

Multiple people called 911 after seeing heavy smoke in the area, including at least two callers from Alaska Street.

“There is a huge fire,” said one woman, who told a dispatcher that her family evacuated from their house. “It’s very close to my house, ma’am.”

Another 911 caller provided a major update while firefighters were en route: “There’s two houses on fire,” she said.

There were no injuries to residents or firefighters, and the American Red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced residents.

Recreational fires in the backyard of the house under renovation, along with the construction, such as vapors from paint, caused a large fire in a short time, Fasnacht said.

A fire investigator also was called to the scene.