ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A 33-year-old Washington state man has been arrested on suspicion of arson and criminal mischief at a rural lodge.
Alaska State Troopers say Jayson Kapfer of Spokane was arrested after a fire Sunday that destroyed the hotel portion of the Cantwell Lodge.
Cantwell is a Parks Highway community about 100 miles (161 kilometers) southwest of Fairbanks.
The Cantwell Fire Department responded to the fire shortly after 3:30 a.m. and concluded it had been set.
Investigators confirmed the cause and learned Kapfer left just before the fire department arrived.
Investigators also learned Kapfer had damaged two vehicles belonging to hotel tenants.
Troopers on Sunday afternoon contacted Kapfer as he walked toward Fairbanks on Alaska Railroad tracks. After questioning, he was jailed in Fairbanks.
It’s not known whether he has at attorney.
