JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
6255 ALAWAY AVENUE JUNEAU, ALASKA 99801
Business (907) 586-0600
Fax (907) 463-4808
Integrity, Courage, Service, Respect
INFORMATION RELEASE
Date: 2014-11-26
From: Erann Kalwara JPD PIO
Case or Incident: #141124-012
On November 24, 2014 at about 9:39pm, the Juneau Police Department received a call reporting a fire alarm had been activated at the Merchant?s Wharf building. Capital City Fire/Rescue was dispatched to the incident.
Two JPD officers also responded due to recurring arson activity at this location. Reports had been received of five separate suspicious incidents involving attempts to set fires at the Merchant?s Wharf between November 7th and 22nd.
When officers arrived on scene, they saw smoke in the hallway of the first floor and located a trash can in the women?s restroom that was smoldering. The fire was out but there was still a significant amount of smoke in the building. The wall above the trash can sustained damage due to heat and smoke.
Officers determined that two juvenile or young adult females had entered the restroom together and both left the restroom prior to the alarm being activated. The females were later identified and interviewed.
On November 25th it was determined that one of the females, a 13 year old Juneau resident, had started the fire. She was released to her mother. The investigation continues.
All factual allegations contained in this release are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in this release are merely accusations and all persons named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.