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Alaska fire marshal: 7-year-old was arsonist in string of fires

At least 5 separate conflagrations over span of last few months

By Emily Russo Miller
Juneau Empire

JUNEAU, Alaska — The police and fire departments announced Friday they have linked a 7-year-old boy to at least five arsons at various locations in Juneau over the past four to five months.

Fire Marshal Dan Jager said the boy, whose name is being withheld since he’s a juvenile, caused about $1,000 in damage by setting small fires in the restrooms at Harborview Elementary School and the Terry Miller Legislative Building, an outside grass fire at the corner of Fifth and Franklin streets and two fires at Fred Meyer.

“He won’t be going to jail,” Fire Chief Richard Etheridge said in a phone interview, adding the case would be forwarded to probation officers at the Johnson Youth Center.

Full Story: Fire marshal: String of fires linked to 7-year-old boy