Fire destroys Deshka Landing home

WASILLA — A Willow area home was destroyed in a Thursday evening fire, and the public is being asked to help the couple who lost most of their belongings in the blaze.

According to Willow fire chief Mahlon Green, the fire was reported about 5:20 p.m. in the Deshka Landing area. When firefighters arrived, they found the fire had spread from a shop to a log home and shed on the property.

“It was fully involved by the time we got there,” Green said.

The home on Townsite Road belonged to Ray and Shirley Roth. Ray Roth tried to fight the fire with an extinguisher when it broke out and Green said Roth suffered burns to his arms and chest. His wife was not home at the time of the fire.

Green said crews from Willow, Caswell, Houston and West Lakes departments responded to the blaze, which wasn’t entirely extinguished until late Thursday night.

Green said the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, although it appears to have started near a wood stove in the shop. He said the shop, home, shed and several vehicles were destroyed.

The tragedy is the second to strike the Roth family in recent months. In October 2015, the couple's only son, 49-year-old hunting guide Roy Roth, was killed during a sheep hunting accident on Pioneer Peak near Palmer.

The Deshka Landing Outdoor Association is taking donations for the couple, according to a status update shared early Friday morning by the Deshka Landing Facebook page. Donations can be dropped off at the boat launch facility, which is located at 29691 Deshka Landing Road. Donations and cards can also be sent to: Deshka Landing PO Box 155 Willow, AK 99688

A Gofundme page has also been set up for the couple. According to the page, which was set up Friday by Ellen Brant, Ray Roth "suffered second-degree burns but is healing."

"They have lost absolutely everything," reads a message posted to the page. "We are asking for any help at all to help them rebuild their life. Thank you for your generosity."