Sutton Man Escapes Burning House, Only To Freeze To Death Nearby

FIRE SEASON

Fire & Ice Combine As Killers 

Sutton Man Found Dead Outdoors After Surviving Fire 

Meanwhile, Death In Another Fire In Meadow Lakes

(Wikipedia) 

Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 

Sutton Death Shows Need To Prepare For Both Fire And Outdoor Exposure After Escaping A Burning Home  

A man who lived in Sutton has been found dead of exposure near his burned-out home, Troopers said. The fire occurred on Tuesday night in the small community on the road to Glennallen from Palmer.

59-year old Kevin Vance was found at 4 am by fire crews, dead in the snow near his house. It was 5 hours after local fire crews came at 11 pm at night to try to save his burning home.

It is believed he died of exposure, but the state medical examiner will determine the cause of death. 

Midwinter fires are common in Alaska – as well as fire-related deaths – which makes planning ahead for emergencies important. 

On January 30th, Troopers got a report of another "residential" death, near Meadow Lakes in Wasilla. 

Troopers said that someone had died in a fire at Meadow Lakes in "a tow behind a trailer that was being used as a residence." 

The State Fire Marshal is examining the cause of the Meadow Lake blaze, and in this case, too, the State Medical Examiner's Office is determining the cause of death.