(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Alaska State Troopers searched last night and today for the 49 year-old owner of a home that was destroyed by fire Wednesday evening. Information Officer Megan Peters with the Alaska State Troopers wrote in an e-mail to SitNews that Troopers and the Deputy Fire Marshal located human remains in the fire debris of the home this afternoon. The home, located 12 miles north of Ketchikan on Blackberry Lane was a total loss.

Peters wrote, "The remains are believed to be that of Ralph Smith." His next of kin has been notified and his remains will be sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Anchorage for positive identification and autopsy.

Troopers received the report of a house fire and a shooting on Blackberry Lane at 5:49 pm yesterday. According to a press release, the homeowner, identified as Ralph Smith, 49, exited his residence, and told a family member the home was on fire. Troopers report Smith then drove down the road and parked his pickup perpendicularly in the road. Smith had a firearm with him and fired off a couple shots.

Troopers reported it is not believed that the shots fired by Smith were directed at anyone. Witnesses were unable to establish where Smith went after firing the shots. A search of the area was conducted but Smith was not found. It was believed that Smith went back into the burning home and perished. Human remain were found Wednesday afternoon after a search of the fire debris.

In addition to the North Tongass Fire Department, both Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers responded to the scene.

North Tongass Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire; however, the home is reported as a total loss.

Alaska State Troopers remained on scene throughout the night to maintain scene security. A Deputy Fire Marshal responded to investigate.

The cause of the fire is under investigation as well as the circumstance surrounding the incident.

Related:

Man missing after Fire By Mary Kauffman - Alaska State Troopers continue searching today for the owner of a home that was destroyed by fire Wednesday evening. The home, located 12 miles north of Ketchikan on Blackberry Lane was a total loss. - More...
Thursday - November 13, 2014

Source of News: 

Alaska Department of Public Safety
www.dps.state.ak.us

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Ketchikan, Alaska

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