Haines fire destroys businesses and apartments; community lends a helping hand | News [Video]

“And so, it was much more than just a convenience store. 7-Eleven down on the corner. It was kind of a friend,” says Matt Jones. 

That’s Matt Jones, from the Haines Ministerial Associations, helping with recovery aid efforts after the recent fire.

“Looking at longer term housing. We’ve started looking at food needs immediately. One of the families has a baby and so the community really responds well to that. And getting everything from formula to a crib to clothing. We’re bringing in small amounts of clothing that we’re trying to manage,” says Jones. 

Over the weekend, the Haines Volunteer Fire and police department responded to calls that several commercial businesses and a residential apartment on the second floor were on fire.

The occupants of the businesses and residents of the apartments self-evacuated. No injuries have been reported.

The Fairbank Deputy Fire Marshal visited Haines to begin an investigation on …