Southwest Alaska village loses running water after fire destroys plant
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Print article BETHEL A fire in Tuluksak destroyed a plant that served as the community’s only source of clean running water, leaving residents waiting for a delivery of bottled water by plane. Alaska State Troopers said the fire at the water plant in Tuluksak burned from about noon until 4:30 p.m. Saturday, KYUK-AM reported. Residents of the Alaska Native community northeast of Bethel hauled water from the Tuluksak River with snowmachines while attempting to douse the flames that eventually destroyed the plant. “When I looked out the window, my husband and a few other men were trying to get into the water plant and washeteria. They had to break the door, but they were a little too late,” said Tribal Council Secretary Kristy Napoka, who lives next door and works at the plant.