Su Valley High, a total loss

SUSITNA VALLEY HIGH (10:15 pm)--The fire engulfing Susitna Valley High was too intense to fight back Tuesday night.

As of 10:15 pm the roof was nearly gone and the walls were on fire. Emergency Services Director Dennis Brodigan said firefighters had been trying to save the west wing because some important records were thought to be stored inside. "We had to back our people out. It wasn't worth risking someone's life," Brodigan said.

The state fire marshal is on scene, which is standard when any building worth more than $500,000 burns down, Brodigan said. The fire could have began between 6:30 pm and 7 pm, he said.

About 200 students attend Su Valley, 7^th grade through 12^th grade.

Su Valley High is 58 miles north of Wasilla, 14 miles south of Talkeetna, near the community of Sunshine.

Firefighters from across the Borough responded as well as the state Division of Forestry.

A $5.5 million roof reconstruction and structural upgrade project was underway for the building. Su Valley High is valued at $13.23 million and its contents, $691,000, according to Finance Director Tammy Clayton.

For more information call Patty Sullivan, Public Affairs Manager, (907) 745-9577.