Anchorage Daily News

Alaska State Troopers say human remains found after a house fire in Birchwood on Sunday are those of Chugiak musher Barry MacAlpine.

Neighbors said MacAlpine lived in his 12-by-12-foot shack for years. The building had no running water or electricity. The man's priority was his sled dogs, neighbors said, and authorities found more than 35 dogs on the property.

The fire was reported about 1 a.m. Sunday in a neighborhood west of the Glenn Highway. Chugiak volunteer firefighters found the building fully aflame.

Neighbor Ethan Petticrew said he saw the fire.

"Everybody was coming out of their houses and running," he said. "The flames were nearly as tall as the trees. The whole house was engulfed in flames. I immediately ran over there looking for Barry."

Firefighters were able to unleash some of the dogs, said Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Tom Reinbolt.

"Firefighting crews were able to free some of the dogs from their kennels so that they could run free from the fire," Reinbolt said.

After putting out the fire, crews discovered the remains inside and called in Alaska State Troopers.

Anchorage Animal Care and Control spokeswoman Maria Martin said the agency could not take in all the dogs.

"I'm hoping that people in the mushing community or people who have experience with sled dogs will step up, give us a call if they want to take five, three, 10 -- it doesn't matter. Any little bit will help," Martin said.

Animal control officers arranged to take food to the dogs. The agency took four puppies to its shelter.

The state fire marshal's office is investigating. Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said the fire is not suspicious.