ANCHORAGE - On Saturday police arrested 25-year-old Gina Virgilio for the June 8 fire at an apartment on McCarrey Street, which killed 24-year-old Michael Gonzales.
Investigators suspect Virgilio threw gasoline on Gonzales while he sleeping on the couch in the apartment they shared, then ignited the fire and fled. The fire destroyed the apartment and approximately 18 other apartments were evacuated, some suffering smoke damage and some neighbors being taken to hospitals for smoke inhalation.
Virgilio is charged with first-degree murder, first- and second-degree arson, first- and third-degree criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and fourth-degree assault. She’s scheduled to be arraigned Sunday afternoon.
