INFORMATION RELEASE
Date: 2025-01-08
From: PIO Erann Kalwara
Case or Incident: #2025-01040005
On January 4th, 2025 at about 5:29 a.m., Capital City Fire/Rescue (CCFR) was on scene at a residential structure fire in the 8200 block of Aspen Avenue and located a deceased person inside the residence.
JPD officers responded and began securing the scene and investigating the incident. The initial arson and death investigation reveal that a man intentionally started a fire in the living room area of his residence and then went into another room within the home where he was later found deceased. The preliminary investigation into the cause of his death indicates the 33 year-old man’s death was not related to the fire and is not suspicious in nature. His next of kin has been notified.
Three other people were inside the residence at the time of the fire and were able to escape outside. At one point, one of the men re-entered the home in an attempt to locate the fourth occupant, not knowing he was deceased. The man sustained life-threatening burns and was sent by medevac to Seattle for specialized medical treatment.
Several pets died in the fire. The residence was destroyed, deemed uninhabitable and the Red Cross responded to assist the occupants.
A JPD detective and the CCFR Fire Marshal have closely collaborated throughout the investigation which is ongoing.
All factual allegations contained in this release are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in this release are merely accusations and all persons named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.