Funeral held for 2 victims who died in village jail fire

BETHEL, Alaska – Two residents of the tiny southwest Alaska village of Napakiak who died in a jail fire have been laid to rest.

People filled the Napakiak Moravian church on Wednesday for the funerals of Becca White and Isaiah Parka, who were described as best friends, soft-spoken and frequently together.

Alaska’s Energy Desk reports the two were picked up for allegedly driving a four-wheeler while intoxicated on April 27. The jail fire broke out that night.

The cause of the blaze, which also left a guard badly burned, remains under investigation.

The community cleared away the charred remnants of the jail and placed two small, white crosses where they died.

White was 24 and had a 3-year-old daughter. Parka was 22.