Capital City Fire/Rescue and the Juneau Police Department are investigating a fire that occurred near an apartment on Willoughby Avenue on Oct. 25, 2020 as arson. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

Capital City Fire/Rescue and the Juneau Police Department are investigating a fire that occurred near an apartment on Willoughby Avenue on Oct. 25, 2020 as arson. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

Authorities investigate probable downtown arson

Video footage shows an unidentified man stuffing newspaper into a butt can and lighting it.

Capital City Fire/Rescue and the Juneau Police Department are investigating a probable arson that occurred Sunday near an apartment on Willoughby Avenue.

“It was a small fire, but it caused approximately $1,000 in damage and it occurred near the stairway to a second floor apartment that was occupied at the time of the fire,” said CCFR Fire Marshal Dan Jager in an email. “In addition to the building occupied, there was video surveillance obtained from the business that shows an unidentified male stuffing paper into a cigarette disposal container and then using something to light the fire and leave.”

While the surveillance footage shows the actions of the suspect, his apparel and the quality of the recording make it difficult to determine his identity. The location, beneath an occupied apartment escalates the seriousness of the offense, Jager said.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 
Capital City Fire/Rescue and the Juneau Police Department are investigating a fire that occurred near an apartment on Willoughby Avenue on Oct. 25, 2020 as arson. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

Capital City Fire/Rescue and the Juneau Police Department are investigating a fire that occurred near an apartment on Willoughby Avenue on Oct. 25, 2020 as arson. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

The Willoughby Avenue fire isn’t the only fire CCFR and JPD are currently investigating, Jager said.

“Myself and JPD are also working on four other vandalism/intentionally set fires in restrooms at various City and Borough of Juneau park areas in the [Mendenhall] Valley,” Jager said. “The damage was minimal due to them occurring in concrete rooms, however there was still a clean-up cost and staff time associated with these fires.”

A pair of vehicle arson cases, one from Skater’s Cabin, and a double-vehicle case from Out The Road are also under continued investigation, Jager said.

Anyone with information on these cases is asked to contact Jager at dan.jager@juneau.org or 907-586-0269.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of March 23

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Alaska Native youth dance at Celebration in Juneau on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Value of Alaska Native education emphasized by Sealaska Heritage Institute president at US Senate hearing

Rosita Ḵaaháni Worl says federal funds for cultural education vital to Alaska Native students’ success.

An Eaglecrest skier cruises downhill in warm temperatures and scant snow on Wednesday. The ski area announced Thursday its last day of the season will be this Sunday. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Eaglecrest Ski Area to end season a week early on Sunday with concert, but no Slush Cup

Poor conditions much of the season limited operations, officials say rain may wipe out scant snow left.

NOAA Fisheries Alaska region, hit hard by staffing losses, helps oversee the harvests off Alaska, which produce about half the fish caught in U.S. waters. Here, a trawl net full of pollock — the largest volume fishery off Alaska — comes aboard the Northern Hawk during the summer 2023 harvest. (Photo by Hal Bernton)
Internal memo outlines stark impacts of federal downsizing on Alaska regional fishery agency

Understaffed federal offices supporting fishing regulators cut even further, as NOAA Fisheries works ‘to keep the lights on’

Kids, parents, grandparents and U.S. Forest Service staff perform a vigorous reenactment of the life of a snowflake during a Mendenhall Minis event at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Saturday, Feb. 22. 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Glacier visitor center plans “half time” operations during tourism season due to mass firings

CBJ tourism manager proposes spending $200K in passenger fees to help organizations with staff at glacier.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, April 1, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo))
Police calls for Monday, March 31, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Heidi Drygas, executive director of the Alaska State Employees Association, leads a cheer on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
State employee salary study misses another deadline, prompting House resolution demanding to see data

Critics say Dunleavy administration is withholding results showing state pay is uncompetitive.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Murkowski votes to oppose Canada tariffs, Sullivan votes in support

Vote largely symbolic since resolution lacks support in the Republican-controlled U.S. House.

Most Read