Two people have been confirmed dead after a domestic disturbance at a Fairbanks home resulted in a standoff and fire.
Alaska State Trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters reported the incident in an online dispatch, saying the case began when troopers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at a multi-unit residence at 588 Old Steese Highway just after 7 a.m. Wednesday.
When troopers arrived, they found a woman’s body inside, and a man had barricaded himself in a back room of the residence, according to Peters.
“Troopers attempted to establish contact with the person and SERT/CNT members responded to the scene in an attempt to assist with resolving the incident,” Peters wrote. “While barricaded, the man set fire to the residence.”
Fairbanks fire crews responded and were able to get the fire under control, Peters said. Two bodies were found in the building after the fire was put out; Peters confirmed in an email they were the bodies of the woman found dead prior to the standoff and the man who had started the fire.
“The body of the woman had not been able to be retrieved prior to the fire,” she added.
The American Red Cross of Alaska responded, Lori Wilson confirmed. Wilson is the executive director of the Far North and Interior Service Center in Fairbanks, and said they had helped six families displaced by the fire. She said the building is considered “unlivable” and suffered extensive damage. Candlewood Suites, a Fairbanks hotel, agreed to temporarily house the displaced families and their pets, according to Wilson.
Wilson noted that at least one pet had been reported as unaccounted for following the fire. She said the Red Cross has coordinated reunions with the Fairbanks Animal Shelter should the missing animals be located and brought to the shelter.
Anyone interested in donating to the American Red Cross of Alaska can do so online or by calling 907-456-5937, Wilson said. She said donations could be directed to a specific incident at the time of the donation.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to Peters. She said the state medical examiner’s office will provide positive identifications of the deceased and conduct autopsies to determine the causes of their deaths.
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