A Juneau woman was arrested in connection to a Monday morning structure fire that authorities say was intentionally set.
Adele Miyasato-Petaja, 28, was arrested Wednesday on charges of first-degree arson — a Class A felony— and fourth-degree theft — a Class B misdemeanor — according to Juneau Police Department.
At 1:45 a.m. Monday, police received multiple calls about a structure fire in the 9400 block of La Perouse Avenue, according to JPD. Callers reported the fire was on the ground floor of the building, which is a complex that includes storage space and second-floor apartments, and that several people in apartments were trying to evacuate.
Police and Capital City Fire/Rescue encountered heavy smoke, flames and people trying to evacuate, according to JPD. At least six people had to evacuate during the fire, which CCFR was ultimately able to put out.
[Fire marshal, police investigate multi-vehicle fire]
No one was injured by the fire, according to JPD, and the City and Borough of Juneau fire marshal estimated the building suffered $350,000 of damage.
While investigating, it was determined the fire was intentionally set and related to an incident earlier in the evening when a woman showed up at one of the apartments while looking for a piece of property, according to police.
Miyasato-Petaja was contacted and arrested Wednesday and taken to Lemon Creek Correctional Center, according to JPD.
That fire was the first of three high-profile fires this week in the Mendenhall Valley; however, according to Fire Marshal Dan Jager, the incidents appear unrelated.
Another fire was reported on Wednesday around 3 p.m. at the Juneau Christian Center on Glacier Avenue. CCFR responded to white smoke from the east side of the building. An investigation was conducted, and it was determined that the cause was most likely due to weed burning near where the fire started, according to CCFR.
There were no injuries reported and the building is insured, according to CCFR. The children in the daycare near the building were unaffected or in any danger.
At around 5 a.m. Tuesday, CCFR responded to yet another fire at Sewillis Quality Auto Body on Alpine Avenue involving multiple vehicles on fire within the lot. According to a CCFR social media post, a total of five vehicles were damaged.
There were no reports of injury or damage to structures, according to CCFR, and the investigation into the cause is ongoing.
People with information about that fire are asked to contact Jager at (907)586-5322, extension 4323.
• Contact reporter Jonson Kuhn at jonson.kuhn@juneauempire.com.
