Fire leads to man's death, murder charge

WASILLA -- A 56-year-old man reportedly died Sunday night in a fire that consumed a home in the Finger Lakes area, and Alaska State Troopers say they have charged a suspect with murder.

The body of a man tentatively identified by troopers as Thomas Bourbeau was found in an upstairs bedroom of the two-story home, located off Schelin Spur Road at Mile 4.5 Palmer-Wasilla Hwy., after the fire was extinguished. Positive identification has not yet been made, however.

Investigators from the Alaska Bureau of Investigation arrested Niobie Ewing, 30, a woman who was living at the residence with Bourbeau. Ewing was charged with first-degree murder and is being held at Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility in Palmer.

Investigation revealed that Ewing intentionally ignited the blaze before leaving the scene, troopers said. Additional charges are likely, according to the troopers.

Central Mat-Su Fire Department Chief Jack Krill said a neighbor reported the fire Sunday night.

Investigators, law-enforcement officers and firefighters were still at the scene early Monday morning, where the smell of burned wood permeated the surrounding neighborhood. Fire officials watched the house all night, into Monday morning, guarding the scene and the body while investigators took photos and gathered information.

According to Krill, about 35 firefighters responded, including seven water tankers, two fire engines and one rescue vehicle. Krill said they put the fire out quickly but the structure received severe damage. "It gutted the whole house," Krill said.

The body was removed from the house Monday to be transported to the State Medical Examiner's in Anchorage office for positive identification.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.