Cabin burns days after shots fired at it, troopers say no connection

BIG LAKE — Despite rumors to the contrary, Alaska State Troopers said Monday morning it is just a coincidence that a cabin burned down two days after someone shot at it.

According to an Alaska State Troopers press statement, officers responded to the home on Moonrise Drive in Big Lake at 11:30 p.m., Saturday.

“Paul J. Meixner, 38, of Big Lake, fired multiple gunshots at the victim’s residence then fled the scene in a Ford Bronco. Shortly after, Meixner was located in the area and placed into custody,” troopers report.

He was jailed for weapons misconduct and assault with bail set at $15,000 and an order he find someone to look after him before he can be released.

Monday morning at around 7:30 a.m., fire and emergency crews from West Lakes, Houston and Central Mat-Su fire departments responded to the same 20-by-20-foot cabin for a report of a house fire. The fire was out and crews were mopping up by 8:30 a.m.

AST spokesperson Megan Peters said that as far as troopers can tell, the two incidents were not related.

“It’s under investigation, but at this point, with what we know about the fire, it doesn’t appear suspicious,” she said. “It’s one of those cabins without electricity so they use a car battery. We were told that a heater was left on.”

She said there is also no evidence of drug activity there.

“Despite rumors, we have no reason at this point to believe a meth lab was involved,” she said.

West Lakes Battalion Chief James Keel said troopers and hazardous materials crews both checked the cabin and no chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine were detected.

He said the fire is under investigation, but so far the cabin’s propane vented furnace seems the fire’s likely culprit. As of Monday afternoon, Meixner was still listed as an inmate at Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility.

According to a sworn statement Alaska State Trooper Lance Silva filed in court, Meixner had been living with the owner of the cabin before the shots were fired.

“About two weeks ago, Meixner wasn’t paying rent and was told to take his belongings and leave. Meixner was upset about being kicked out,” Silva writes.

According to the affidavit, a suspicious vehicle drove slowly past the house and the homeowner went to investigate. He recognized the Bronco as Meixner’s and the driver as his erstwhile roommate.

The Bronco stopped in front of the house and the driver cranked off seven to nine shots. The homeowner even recognized the rifle — Meixner’s semi-automatic Marlin .22 tube feed.

Silva tracked Meixner down, found the Bronco and the rifle. Meixner said that while they were living together, the homeowner had stolen his belongings and pawned them, but he denied shooting at him.

“Meixner denied driving his Bronco down the street to (his former) residence and firing rounds,” Silva writes. “Meixner claims that someone must have stolen his vehicle from outside of the trailer.”

Contact Andrew Wellner at 352-2270

or andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com.