Arson Claims the Seventh Building in Community Outside of Fairbanks According to Troopers

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - According to Alaska State Troopers a fire in the community of Two Rivers/Pleasant Valley over the weekend has been determined to be an arson. Grange Hall on Grange Hall Road burned to the ground in the early morning hours of Saturday. Troopers say this is the seventh confirmed arson to take place in the community this summer but they are investigating other recent fires to determine if they were also arson.

The community which is around 20 miles east of Fairbanks on Chena Hot Springs Road is on edge. A resident of the community told us that they are always wondering if they will be the next victim of the arsons.

The Pleasant Valley Community Association is currently offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the arsonist. Virginia McKee, whose home was burned down earlier this year said the reward is 20,000 good reasons to give information to troopers. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact troopers at 451-5100.

Troopers have been working with state fire investigators and the FBI to catch the arsonist.

While encouraging community members to be vigilant, McKee did caution the community against vigilante justice.

“We don’t need vigilantes because a vigilante is going to take away my closure, and everybody else’s. We are a whole group of people that have been victims and the entire group needs that justice and that closure,” McKee said.

Later this week we will be talking to a member off the community who is working to try and start a volunteer fire department. Stay tuned for that story.

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