Million Dollar Alaska Home Intentionally Burned

An oceanfront home in Juneau, Alaska, worth more than $1 million was intentionally burned to the ground.

The Juneau Empire says 63-year-old David MacDonald’s home on Fritz Cove was donated to the fire department to help with firefighter training. The retired civil engineer says he plans to build a smaller home at the same location.

Setting the five-story home on fire on Saturday enabled about 40 Capital City Fire & Rescue firefighters to practice going inside a structure to fight a fire. Fire Chief Richard Etheridge says such hands-on training is rare. The last time the fire department engaged in a live burn at a home was about two-and-a-half years ago in North Douglas.