Anchorage

Police arrest suspect in connection to fatal Eagle River apartment fire

Update, 10 a.m. Sunday: Homicide detectives with the Anchorage Police Department arrested 29-year-old Christopher Ricker on charges of murder in the first and second degree, arson, criminal mischief and assault.

Original story:

Two people are dead following a fire in an apartment complex early Saturday morning in Eagle River, Anchorage police said.

Police said they were investigating it as a homicide and arson investigation.

Police officers and Anchorage firefighters were notified of a structure fire at 2:11 a.m. on Saturday, police said. A unit inside of the apartment complex was on fire — in the 16000 block of Meadow Creek Drive.

Firefighters extinguished the fire and found the first victim in the unit, police said. A second victim was found later as investigators searched the apartment. Police said the victims were an adult man and woman.

The identities of both individuals will be released following notification of next of kin.

Anyone with information regarding the incident are encouraged to call 311, or to leave an anonymous tip.

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