Fire torches Kwik’Pak Fisheries buildings in Alaska

Three buildings belonging to salmon producer Kwik’Pak and two owned by Yukon Marine Manufacturing burned in a large fire in Emmonak, Alaska, Saturday, 19 March, causing an estimated USD 3 million (EUR 2.68 million) in damage, according to radio station KYUK.

No one was hurt in the blaze, and no foul play is suspected, KYUK reported.

Kwik’Pak flash-freezes four to five million pounds of salmon and whitefish annually in Emmonak, according to a separate report by the Juneau Empire.

Kwik’Pak general manager Jack Schultheis told the Empire that the fire burned dormitories that are used to house 500 summer workers, but that the company’s main fish processing facilities were not damaged. He said Kwik’Pak’s production should not be affected this year if the company can rebuild the dormitories in time. He said the company hopes to begin construction as soon as possible and hopes to be open by the beginning of the summer season.

“Those communities depend on that fishery; it’s all they have for income,” Schultheis told the Empire. “It’s our job — it’s my job — to make sure we’re operational by the first of June.”

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