About 100 miles southwest of Bethel, a man was killed by a house fire Wednesday morning in the community of Chefornak.
Alaska State Troopers have tentatively identified the deceased as Theodore Kestler, 72, a priest who presided over a church in Saint Mary’s.
Troopers received a report about 9:30 a.m. stating that a residence was engulfed in flames and Kestler had died in the fire, despite citizens’ efforts to save him. No other injuries have been reported.
A deputy fire marshal is investigating the cause and circumstances of the fire.
According to Troopers, Kestler’s body will be sent to Anchorage for an autopsy and a positive I.D.
