PALMER — Alaska State Troopers say a Butte fire that killed a 49-year-old Palmer woman apparently started in materials stored too close to a wood stove.
Troopers on Thursday identified the woman as Epheisinna M. Petluska and said she died of smoke-related injuries. Public records show two other spellings of Petluska's first name.
The fire was reported just after noon Sunday about a mile up Knik River Road, but the house was engulfed in the flames by the time firefighters arrived.
Homeowner Charles "Chaz" Wocell and Petluska were sleeping when the fire started, troopers say. Wocell escaped with smoke inhalation and burns but said he couldn't save Petluska, who was trapped inside.
Wocell, who has since been released from the hospital, said in a previous interview he was sure the fire started in cardboard stacked next to a wood stove that was his only source of heat.
He said he was grieving the loss of Petluska, who was in nursing and had a grown son.
Troopers spokesperson Megan Peters on Thursday said the fire appeared to have been caused by "combustibles stored too closely" to a wood stove that was in use when the fire started.
The incident doesn't appear to be criminal, Peters wrote in an email. An investigation continues.