School Fires in Alaska Prompt Code Questions

By Cheryl Gamble

Five times since 1994, residents of remote Alaska villages have seen their only school destroyed by fire.

None of the schools had a sprinkler system--a major factor contributing to their destruction, according to the state fire marshal. The small, isolated towns often have little in the way of equipment, trained firefighters, or an adequate water supply.

"The big problem in the bush is, when they have a fire in any kind of building, it burns down to the ground in a big pile of ash," said...