INFORMATION RELEASE

On November 2, 2014, the Juneau Police Department?s Public Safety 911 Center received a 911 call from Bartlett Regional Hospital reporting smoke, water, and ashes coming from a locked bathroom near the main lobby of the 2nd floor of the hospital.

Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel and officers of the Juneau Police Department were dispatched and responded. On arrival, emergency responders found the sprinkler system had activated in the bathroom and extinguished the fire. Water was flowing from the bathroom and flooding much of the lobby, creating about 1-2 inches of standing water. Water was seeping through the floor into the first floor, which houses the Emergency Room. Water damages to the Emergency Room appeared to be contained to Waiting Room and Patient Triage Room. Hospital staff was actively attempting to keep the flood of water from flowing into patient wings, electrical rooms, and other key areas of the hospital.

Just prior to emergency responder?s arrival, Bartlett Regional Hospital Security and employees were able to unlock the bathroom where the fire had originated and located a male inside. JPD Officers detained the male, who was identified as 26 year old Juneau resident Robert Edward Johnson.

Through subsequent investigation, Johnson was placed under arrest for Arson in the 2nd Degree. He was transported to and lodged at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center where he was held without bail per the bail schedule.

Arson in the 2nd Degree is a Class B Felony, which is punishable up to 10 years in jail and a $100,000 fine. The charge in this case is merely an accusation. Johnson is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Damages are estimated to be in the thousands of dollars. Further investigation and damage assessments are pending.