Arson suspected in another fire off of Chena Hot Springs Road near Fairbanks

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - A fire early Wednesday morning destroyed a vacant building at 10-mile Chena Hot Springs road. According to fire officials, they received reports of the fire at around 2 a.m., and by the time they arrived, the roof was completely engulfed in flames. The North Star Volunteer Fire Department responded to the fire and was assisted in extinguishing it by other departments in the area.

Alaska State Troopers and State Fire Marshals responded to the fire to conduct an investigation. The deputy fire marshal determined the fire was incendiary and is investigating it as arson.

Since May, the Two Rivers and Pleasant Valley communities, 10 miles further down Chena Hot Springs Road, have been plagued by a serial arsonist, with at least six confirmed arsons and other fires being investigated as arson.

This is the first fire to be within a fire service area. All of the other fires in Two Rivers have been outside the fire service area.

Alaska State Troopers are working with the State Fire Marshal’s office and the FBI to catch the arsonist. The community of Pleasant Valley is also offering over a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the arsonist. Anyone with information about the fires is asked to call the troopers at (907) 451-5100. People can also submit tips anonymously by downloading the AKtips app from the app store or the AST website.