Crime & Courts

Man accused of setting fire to home in Western Alaska with multiple people inside, troopers say

The occupants of a home in a Yukon River village escaped through a window after a man doused the home’s doorway with gasoline and set it on fire this week, Alaska State Troopers said.

Ronald Kruger, 34, was attempting to get inside the Grayling home, but an occupant denied him entry, according to an online report from troopers. Troopers in Aniak, about 90 air miles away, were alerted to the incident just before 1 a.m. Friday.

“After being unable to gain entry Kruger doused the entryway of the dwelling with gasoline and then ignited it, starting a fire,” troopers wrote.

The people inside escaped through a window and sheltered with a family member, according to troopers. The burnt home was a total loss, troopers said.

Kruger was arrested on charges of first-degree arson and reckless endangerment, and an investigation is still ongoing, troopers said.

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