A significant fire erupted at the Glacier Creek cruise ship terminal in Whittier, Alaska, on 14 September 2026, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. The incident occurred around 11 a.m., prompting an emergency response from local fire departments and the U.S. Coast Guard.
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The blaze began at the north cruise ship terminal, where the Klondike Express, operated by Phillips Cruises & Tours, was docked. Although the vessel itself did not catch fire, it sustained smoke damage from the flames, and there were no passengers on board at the time. This high-speed catamaran is capable of accommodating up to 332 guests across three decks.
Emergency services from various departments, including those from Anchorage and Girdwood, were dispatched to combat the fire. Fire crews faced the complication of a lack of nearby hydrants, requiring them to transport a remarkable 112,000 gallons of water to quell the inferno. The conditions necessitated that water tankers made multiple trips to fulfil firefighting demands throughout the day.
Social media footage captured the scene, showing the Klondike Express engulfed in thick smoke rising from the terminal. Phillips Cruises & Tours later confirmed that operations for the remainder of the season would continue using their other vessels, despite the damage to the Klondike Express. The Norwegian Jade cruise ship was also present at the terminal but had safely departed prior to the fire.
Witnesses at the terminal described the chaos as the fire broke out. Barbara Mackessy, a passenger, recounted seeing flames from a high vantage point on her ship’s upper deck. “There was a big fire. Looked like it was between the dock and that little ship that was on the other side,” she remarked. Mackessy observed fire crews battling the blaze for approximately 45 minutes before her cruise departed.
Updates from local authorities provided further insight into the impact of the fire. Volunteer Michael Pese of the Whittier Fire Department disclosed that “half the dock is gone” and mentioned ongoing efforts to manage the situation with assistance from the Anchorage Fire Department. Responders had implemented a safety perimeter, establishing a 500-yard exclusion zone around the fire to ensure public safety.
Efforts to extinguish the fire continued into the evening, with the rigors of firefighting compounded by the absence of functional hydrants. Instead of a direct water supply, the crews maintained operations by coordinating a sequence of well-timed 10-minute loops between the fire scene and the closest working hydrant in Whittier.
As of the latest reports, the specific cause of the fire remains under investigation. Whittier’s city manager, Jackie Wilde, confirmed to local news outlets that the terminal had recently opened for its first full season, following construction that began in 2022. The facility represents a significant investment, reportedly costing $80 million to complete.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by emergency services in remote areas, particularly those without established infrastructure. While damage has occurred, the prompt response from local agencies helped avert potential tragedy. As the investigation unfolds, the focus will remain on uncovering the cause and ensuring the ongoing safety of both passengers and crew in future operations.