JUNEAU, Alaska — Coast Guard personnel assisted Capital City Fire/Rescue fight a fire at the Gastineau Apartments in downtown Juneau Monday.
The fire, which caused no reported civilian injuries, allegedly started at the Gastineau Apartments Monday evening and burned for several hours before being extinguished.
At approximately 8 p.m. Monday, Coast Guard 17th District watchstanders received a request for assistance from Capital City Fire/Rescue. A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka launched and transported six Sitka-based firefighters to Juneau Monday night to help fight the fire.
“This incident highlights the Coast Guard’s commitment to helping our partner agencies during emergencies,” said Capt. Dan Travers, chief of incident management, Coast Guard 17th District. “Our helicopter crew was able to fly in additional firefighters from Sitka to assist firefighters already on scene.”
Additionally, Ken Lawrenson, the Coast Guard 17th District commercial fishing vessel safety coordinator and a volunteer firefighter, responded to the fire shortly after completing his Coast Guard workday and remained on scene until approximately 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, when he was relieved by other firefighters.
“Ken Lawrenson’s commitment to helping his community was highlighted by his efforts last night,” said Cmdr. Patrick Ropp, deputy chief of prevention, Coast Guard 17th District. “He finished his Coast Guard workday and immediately went to help fight the fire.”
The Juneau area Coast Guard Enlisted Association and the Chief Petty Officers Association plan to make a financial donation to the Red Cross to help those affected by the fire.