Alleged arsonists face charges

PALMER -- The Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice has released the names of two more juveniles who have been charged with setting fires inside the Matanuska Valley Farmer's Cooperating Association building in downtown Palmer last month. The fire destroyed one wood-framed building entirely and consumed large portions of two others.

Palmer area residents Matthew Brass and Holly Rudder, both 14, have been charged with setting the fires. Their names were released by Juvenile Justice officials earlier this week. Both children have been charged with first-degree arson. Another juvenile, Nathanael Row, 13, was charged with one count of first-degree arson earlier in the month.

Palmer Police Chief Russ Boatright said previously that the children were also suspected of setting several other fires around town. With the exception of the co-op fire, all of the suspicious fires had either been put out by whoever started them or had burned out on their own, according to Boatright.

The historic co-op property was reported to be burning at approximately 5:30 p.m. Feb. 4, and continued to burn for nearly 24 hours as firefighters from several fire stations worked in shifts to fight the blaze.