ANCHORAGE — A 72-year-old man died Tuesday in a fire in the southwest Alaska village of Chefornak.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks identified the man as a long-serving priest, Theodore Kestler.
The diocese says the fire broke out in the church rectory and Kestler was found inside.
Alaska State Troopers in Bethel received a report shortly before 9:30 a.m. that a Chefornak home was in flames and that residents could not reach a man inside.
Troopers reached the village to confirm the fire and death.
An autopsy has been ordered.
A deputy state fire marshal is attempting to determine the cause of the fire.
