Updated: Jamison Gallion named as alleged Two Rivers arsonist, bail set at $1 million

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) -

Update 5:28 p.m. The Deputy Fire Marshal, Alaska State Trooper Captain and District Attorney spoke about the arrest of Jamison Gallion, 17, for arson at a press event. According to Kyle Carrington, the fire marshal, they began investigating Gallion after he was identified on scene of some of the fires last week. He said they used this information to get a search warrant and search his home, vehicle and electronics.

According the Carrington the investigation was made harder due to most of the buildings being outside of a fire service area which resulted in much of the evidence being destroyed. They were able to find an accelerant at at least one fire scene. They also obtained footage of Gallion purchasing gas at a nearby gas station before the Two Rivers Lodge was burned down.

According to charging documents, Gallion admitted to starting the fires.

Carrington said this was not a normal investigation, “I have been in public safety for 27 years and this is the only case I can think that rises to this level.”

AST Captain Eric Spitzer said he thinks the threat to the community is over.

“I believe that their torment is over. I believe that they can rest soundly when they go to sleep at night. These people in Two Rivers, their community has been shaken to the foundation,” Spitzer said.

However, he said that the fires are still being investigated and there may be additional charges filed over the coming weeks.

“We are not going to stop investigating, this isn’t the end of the investigation. We continue to take leads and investigate additional leads into other fire,” Spitzer said. He asked that anyone with information about the fires contact the Alaska State Troopers at 451-5100 or by using the AKtips app.

We will continue to follow this story as more information is released.

Update: Jamison Cloyd Gallion was named in court documents as the suspected arsonist responsible for several fires in the Two Rivers area outside of Fairbanks. He was charged with two counts of arson in the first degree and 5 counts of arson in the second degree. Because he was over 16 and charged with arson in the first degree, he was automatically charged as an adult. Judge Ben Seekins set his bail at $1 million cash performance bond.

Gallion was charged with starting fires at the Pleasant Valley Thrift Store, the Pleasant Valley Community Center, Donald and Virginia McKee’s home, the Grange Hall Community Center, the Wagon’s North Trading Post - a residence at 3838 Chena Hot Springs Road, and the Two Rivers Lodge.

According to the charging documents he also sent multiple letters about the fires threatening the community. He also was on scene at multiple fires, even reporting one to 911 and speaking with law enforcement when they arrived on scene. The charging document also stated that Gallion posted a photo of one of the fires to social media.

We were able to locate the post he made to the Two Rivers-Pleasant Valley Community Facebook Group.

Gallion was not charged in connection with at least four other fires that were suspected to be arson.

This is a developing story. We will continue to update it throughout the day.

Original Story: Alaska State Troopers and State Fire Marshals arrested a 17-year-old on Thursday for a string of arsons in the communities of Two Rivers and Pleasant Valley outside of Fairbanks. Troopers said the 17-year-old, identified only as J.G., is charged with burning down multiple structures on Chena Hot Springs Road since May 2021.

Troopers said J.G. was identified as a suspect after the Two Rivers Lodge fire when he was seen on surveillance video filling a gas can at a local gas station just before the fire was set. Troopers executed search warrants and searched his house, electronics, and vehicle. Investigators found additional evidence.

According to a press release from the Troopers, J.G. was charged with two counts of Arson I, five counts of Arson II, four counts of Burglary II, as well as multiple counts of criminal mischief. They expect additional charges to be filed as the investigation continues. Because of the Arson 1 charges, J.G. will automatically be charged as an adult.

At least 11 fires over the summer in Two Rivers are suspected to have been set intentionally.

This is a breaking story and we will continue to update it as more information becomes available.

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