Alaska State Troopers are investigating two fires in two days in Atmautluak, a village located west of Bethel.
On Saturday, at about 4:20 p.m., AST was notified of a fire in the Tribal Office Building.
“Atmautluak Public Safety and local residents were able to contain the fire to one room and the outside of the building,” according to an online AST dispatch.
Troopers arrived in Atmautluak the next day and investigation revealed that the fire had been started by two children playing with lighters under the building.
The investigation in ongoing, troopers say.
Early Sunday morning, just after 3 a.m., troopers were notified of another fire at the old Moravian Church.
“The fire had totally destroyed the abandoned church and had caused damage to an occupied house next door,” AST says.
Troopers’ investigation revealed that the fire was started by a 13-year-old and an 18-year-old who were playing with fire. No injuries were reported.
The investigation into this fire is also ongoing.