Christmas Fire in our Tiny Cabin

My husband and I are big fans of your blog. We fondly rent a tiny home on the edge of Anchorage, Alaska. It is the highest residence in the city. It has no running water, an incinerator toilet, and gas heat. The main living space is approximately 250, and together with the unheated front room we use for storage, it’s just under 400 if you count the loft space in each room. It frequently blows over 100 miles per hour, and is guy-wired to bedrock to hold it down. It’s been on the hill since 1963, which is slightly historic for our town that suffered the giant earthquake in ’64. We are enjoying our 4th winter in what we call the Little Red Cabin, and hope to one day build and own our own debt-free.

Tonight we came home from our family Christmas dinner to a house fire. Our oven is old and according to the fire report it likely malfunctioned. Fortunately there was no serious structural damage or injury, but it won’t be livable for quite some time. We are so sad to have our little paradise destroyed by fire and smoke damage. As I try to unwind and get some sleep at a friend’s house, I find I am revisiting your blog and missing our tiny home.

I know you enjoy pictures and just read on the blog you were looking for cabins in the mountains. Here is a few pictures of ours.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

BriAnna

heavier snow

21 thoughts on “Christmas Fire in our Tiny Cabin”

  1. BriAnna, my heart goes out to you. Losing your home (even for a short time) is such a terrible experience. I hope the damage is repaired soon so that you and your husband can enjoy your home again.

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  2. It sounds like you have experienced a wonderful little abode. May your experiences help you dream up another (and hopefully your own)in the near future! I’m happy that everyone is safe and sound.

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  3. Although this is tragic, I am so happy that it happened when you were away from your home! My hope for you is that now somehow you will come into your dream of owning your own home. If I had money to give toward that goal, I would.

    Blessings!

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  4. Sorry to hear it. My hope is that you will end up with some upgrades as things are fixed and replaced. Maybe the little red cabin will be better than ever when it’s all over. But in December–what a pain! So glad you are safe, tho.

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  5. bummer… but glad to hear you were unharmed! I hope your next house brings you as much joy… it looks like an awesome location/view…!

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  6. Boy, did this bring back memories. Had a house fire many years ago in our “cabinised” wall tent, caused by neighbourhood kids playing with matches. We went around for days afterwards telling our friends we felt a little “burnt out” and it took longer than you’d think to get tired of the joke. What I missed most (besides the old wood cookstove) was an afghan I had almost finished and my grandma’s ivory crochet hooks. Best of luck with future plans and so glad nobody was hurt.

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  7. Thank you everyone so much for the kind words and encouragement! We are well and thankful that what really matters is safe and sound. We are especially touched by the outreach of community both in town and online. That is truly something to be thankful for!

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  8. I am SO SAD for you! ;-( When I FIRST skimmed the headlines in my feeds a few days ago, I saw this and passed it over to read later, as it sounded like the kind of ‘happy’ piece Id enjoy savoring when I had a good cup of cocoa and some enjoyable late night internet time… Boy, was I wrong: your title did not mean you had a heart-warming happy evening by the fire in the HEARTH, you had a FIRE-fire! ;-( Apologies for assuming something, so blithely. I will read more thoroughly, next time, before pre-judging by a headline/title!
    This was definitely not the kind of ‘Christmas fire’ one would enjoy, by no means!
    I hope repairs are swift and easy-on-the-pocket so you can both get home to your cozy little red cabin SOON! God Bless you for sharing your story – and pictures – with us.
    I’d say ‘Happy New Year’, but it might sound trite… all the same, I do hope the new year of 2012 is kinder to you than the past week of 2011 was!;-)

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