CCFR, JPD investigating car set ablaze

CCFR, JPD investigating car set ablaze

It’s being investigated as an arson.

Capital City Fire/Rescue and the Juneau Police Department are investigating a possible vehicle arson near Skater’s Cabin on Wednesday morning.

“On Wednesday Aug. 5,2020, at approximately 2:20 a.m., Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to a car fire near Skater’s Cabin,” posted CCFR on their Facebook page. “Upon arrival a single car was found burning.”

The vehicle, likely a 2014 Ford Focus, was left in a parking lot and completely destroyed, said Fire Marshal Dan Jager in a phone interview.

“There was no reason for it to be there. It was brought there, and abandoned,” Jager said. “There was no reason for a fire to be started.”

Jager said the next part of the process will be investigating the source and vector of the fire.

“The interesting thing about car fires is that, while the car might be completely burned, oxidation can happen. The areas with the most heat will show different patterns of discoloration,” Jager said. “In addition to the moisture in the air, the heat affects the metal and how fast or slow that process occurs. There can be indicators that it might have burned more intense in one area or another.”

As the investigation of the fire itself goes on, JPD will be investigating the origin of the vehicle, Jager said. Investigations of fires can take between 10 and 50 hours, Jager, and longer if there’s fatality involved, which does not appear to be the case in this instance.

“We got the call to respond at about 2:20 a.m. so the odds of people being out and about are pretty slim,” Jager said. “JPD had a couple of patrol officers out there before I showed up.”

The investigation will continue, Jager said.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or lockett@juneauempire.com.

More in News

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for the week of May 11

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2024 schedule.… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, May 13, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, May 12, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

A sign for a store that accepts food stamps and exchange benefits transfer cards is seen in this 2019 photo. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)
Alaska gives food stamp recipients’ personal information to federal officials

Data sharing part of nationwide request by Trump administration; appears to be targeting migrants.

Rep. Jeremy Bynum, R-Ketchikan, speaks to Rep. Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, during a vote on amendments to the state’s capital budget on Monday, May 12, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Amid budget struggle, Alaska has little money for new construction or renovation

State’s capital budget about to pass Legislature with no projects for individual legislators’ districts.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, at center, sits among senators during a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Most Alaskans nominated for state boards and commissions get Legislature’s approval this year

One nominee was rejected on a 0-60 vote, which may be a first for the Alaska Legislature.

A person uses a garden hose in an effort to save a neighboring home from catching fire during the Eaton Fire on Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Dozens of members of Congress from both parties plead with Trump to unfreeze FEMA grants

Sen. Murkowski part of group drafting letter urging FEMA to begin spending already OK’d by Congress.

The six members of a joint House-Senate conference committee appointed to resolve differences in their versions of next year’s proposed state budget sign documents at their initial meeting Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
PFD of $1,000 or $1,400? Ban on abortion funds or not? Fate of state’s budget now in hands of six legislators

Conference committee seeks to resolve 400 differences in House, Senate budgets as session nears end.

Boxes of sugary cereal, including those from General Mills, fill a store’s shelves on April 16, 2025, in Miami, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
US House Republican plan would force states to pay for a portion of SNAP benefits

State costs would increase with higher error rates — Alaska currently has the highest.

Most Read