A tenant of a duplex in the Lacey area allegedly set the building on fire while he was being evicted on Wednesday.
The tenant, whose name has not been released, will be booked into the Thurston County Jail for first-degree arson and first-degree malicious mischief after he is evaluated at a local hospital, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO).
Deputies with the TCSO Civil Unit had gone to a duplex in the 4800 block of Carpenter Road Southeast to conduct a court-ordered eviction at about 9 a.m. on Jan. 28, according to a TCSO news release.
The tenant reportedly received “multiple notifications throughout the eviction process and was aware the eviction was scheduled to occur,” TCSO said in a news release.
The tenant was reportedly uncooperative” with the civil deputies and refused to exit the residence.
He eventually released his dog to Thurston County Animal Services custody following negotiations.
“Shortly thereafter, a fire broke out in the tenant’s side of the duplex, while the adjoining unit remained occupied,” TCSO said in a news release.
Negotiations reportedly continued, with the tenant eventually exiting the residence. However, he allegedly armed himself with a hatchet when he exited.
Deputies reportedly continued to negotiate and issue verbal commands before utilizing “less-lethal tools,” according to TCSO.
A Taser was deployed when the tenant attempted to flee, according to TCSO. He was then taken into custody and transported by Medic 6 to a local hospital for evaluation.
No other injuries were reported.
Lacey Fire District 3 was allowed to enter the duplex once law enforcement deemed the scene secure, according to the fire district.
Firefighters provided patient care, conducted a search of the structure and suppressed the fire.
As of 1 p.m., firefighters were still at the scene completing overhaul ensuring the fire was fully extinguished, according to Lacey Fire District 3.
“Thank you to our partner agencies and the community for their patience,” Lacey Fire District 3 said in a social media post Wednesday afternoon.
