By Neil Torquiano Channel 2 News KTUU

4:39 p.m. AKST, January 5, 2013
ANCHORAGE, Alaska—

An Anchorage woman was arrested Friday for a fire that destroyed an Anchorage apartment building Thursday morning, according to the Anchorage Police Department in conjunction with the Anchorage Fire Department.

AFD said that APD arrested and charged 41-year-old Jenae Collins with first degree arson and reckless endangerment for allegedly causing the blaze that destroyed the Calais Arms Apartments at 3405 Eureka Street after the fire investigator interviewed residents.

Fire crews responded to the fire around 8:40 a.m. Thursday and it affected 24 units with 7 families displaced.

The Red Cross of Alaska and the Salvation Army set up an emergency shelter at the Spenard Rec Center for displaced residents after the building was evacuated and residents were initially taken to the nearby Seventh-Day Adventist church on 34th Avenue.

Charging documents revealed that Collins lit an article of clothing on fire inside an apartment. She put the article of clothing into a trash can on the balcony and put a cardboard box on top of it. She then stomped on the cardboard and the fire grew and spread to the attic space.

The blaze burned the south side of the building and the entire roof, and firefighters spent several hours getting it under control.

AFD screened three victims for injuries and two were transported to the hospital. Also, two APD officers suffered smoke inhalation injuries from assisting people leave the apartment.

Collins was arrainged Saturday afternoon and her bail was set at $200,000 for an appearance bond and $100,000 performance bond.

Assistant District Attorney Michal Stryszak also requested a no contact order for a witness with the initials J.M., who provided information to police that was considered “important information.”

She was convicted of two DUI charges in 2009 and 2011.

For more information about efforts to help families, visit the Red Cross’ webpage.

Contact Neil Torquiano

Editor's Note: KTUU's Mallory Peebles contributed to the Saturday update to this story.