Wall by wall, Royal Suite Lodge is coming down. And so are the reminders of a fire that killed three people in February.
Demolition started on the building Monday afternoon and crews hope to be done by the end of the week. The company, Alaska Demolition, is having to take special precautions because of asbestos in the building. The slow pace of work was a blessing for one family, hoping to say goodbye.
Andrew Abayo rushed over to the building Monday evening with his wife and 3-year-old daughter, hoping to see their old home one last time. The family got their wish. The excavator stopped just as it was about to hit their house, number 304.
For Abayo, there are only memories left inside.