Alaska State Troopers received a call from a resident in Nanwalek reporting a house was on fire and fully engulfed on Tuesday. The call came in near 7:00 a.m.
Local firefighters responded and were able to put out the fire. The resident of the house was believed to still be inside. State Troopers and State Fire Marshalls responded to the scene and discovered a burned body inside that was believed to be James Reinseth, age 50 of Nanwalek. Reinseth was later identified as a teacher for Nanwalek School in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent John O’Brien said, “It is with great sadness that we learned one of our long-time Nanwalek School staff members has died during a house fire on Tuesday. Our hearts go out to Jim Reinseth, his family, friends, and the staff, students, and community of Nanwalek where he has been an educator since 2007. We are working with our principal and the village to ensure that any additional support and comfort that we can offer is provided.”
Emotional support has been made available to staff and students to assist them as they navigate through this difficult process. Reinseth dedicated many years of service to the Nanwalek community and will be greatly missed.
A death investigation is being conducted by Troopers, according to online trooper dispatch.
