Fire heavily damages Wrangell’s Marine Bar

Building also houses apartments and town’s only table-service restaurant open year-round for lunch and dinner

Firefighters to knock down the flames at the Marine Bar on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2026. (Wrangell Police Department photo)

By Wrangell Sentinel staff

The Wrangell Sentinel

The Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department worked almost nine hours Tuesday morning to put out a fire at the Marine Bar building, near the downtown harbor.

No injuries were reported from the fire.

In addition to the bar, the building houses the Hungry Beaver Pizza restaurant and also apartments. It is Wrangell’s only table-service restaurant open year-round for lunch and dinner.

The department’s fire alarm sounded shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday, waking people throughout town as the siren called out volunteers to fight the flames. The firefighter “all-out” siren is 12 seconds on, 12 seconds off, for 2 minutes.

Firefighters had three hoses trained on the Shakes Street building as of mid-morning as they fought to knock down the flames.

The fire was out by around noon, according to an announcement from borough officials.

By mid-morning, much of the roof had collapsed on the building and smoke drifted across town. The damage was extensive to the building structure and its interior, visible in photographs from the scene.

Officials had not reported a cause for the fire as of Tuesday evening.

The community responded with food for firefighters and other responders to the blaze.

The Nolan Center was opened Tuesday for people affected by the smoke and who needed a temporary place to shelter.

The Irene Ingle Public Library opened early Tuesday morning to provide a respite for people who wanted a place out of the smoke. “We’re open early and the coffee is on.”

Multiple businesses announced early or total closures or late openings Tuesday due to the smoke from the fire. The Senior Center canceled its in-person lunch. Muskeg Meadows Golf Course closed for the day.

“School is in session today,” the district announced early Tuesday morning. “We are paying attention to the air quality in the buildings. There will be no outdoor recess today. middle and high school students will have an indoor lunch.”

“We as Marine Bar employees and owner are extremely grateful to our Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department and all they did for us,” Bridgette Petticrew posted on Facebook with Seanne Wynne and Rolland Wimberley. Wimberley owns the business operation under the name Hungry Beaver Pizza.

“We can’t express enough how grateful we are that everyone made it out safe, including Rolland’s pup, Chuli,” the posting said. “We thank everyone for reaching out with care, prayers and good wishes. We ask that everyone give Rolland, Ford and employees space to heal and figure things out.”

Shawna Buness posted on the Wrangell Community Facebook page: “If you are still looking to help, it would be appreciated if you would turn your support to the folks who lost their jobs and homes today.”

• This story originally appeared in the Wrangell Sentinel.