Woman dies, man injured in home fire near Butte

ANCHORAGE — The state fire marshal is investigating a home fire near Butte that killed a woman.

Her name has not been released but troopers Monday identified a man injured in the fire as 55-year-0ld Charles Wocell of Palmer.

Troopers and the Mat-Su Fire Department just before 1 p.m. Sunday were dispatched to South Knik River Road in response to a home reported burning with a woman inside.

Wocell and the woman had been sleeping inside.

Troopers said Wocell tried to get the woman out, then flagged down a driver who called 911.

Troopers said Wocell ran back inside in the burning home and again tried to rescue the woman. He was injured and transported to the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center by emergency responders.

Mat-Su firefighters recovered the woman’s body.

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