Lacey, WA eviction leads to arson, authorities say

Tenant sparks house fire during eviction in Thurston County

A man being evicted by law enforcement sparked a fire inside a duplex near Lacey on Wednesday, authorities said.

LACEY, Wash. - A man being evicted from his home started a fire inside a duplex and was later arrested, authorities say.

What we know:

The fire broke out around 9 a.m. at a duplex along Carpenter Road Southeast and Mullen Road near Lacey.

Video captures arson at Lacey duplex during eviction (via member of Thuston Co. Scanner, News, & Weather Blog FB Page)

Beforehand, deputies with the Thurston County Sheriff's Office arrived for a court-ordered eviction. They said the tenant received multiple notices of the eviction prior to the law enforcement response.

The sheriff's office said the tenant was uncooperative and refused to leave the residence for hours, though he later released his dog to Animal Services.

Suddenly, a fire broke out inside the unit the evicted tenant resided in, while the other unit of the duplex was still occupied.

Deputies used verbal commands and the tenant eventually exited the residence, but refused commands and walked toward the backyard, according to the sheriff's office.

Bodycam video shows the arson suspect exiting the residence, now set ablaze following an eviction notice.

He allegedly picked up a machete, and deputies used multiple tasers and less-lethal tools to disarm him.

Deputies then arrested the suspect and took him to the hospital.

What's next:

The suspect is expected to be booked into the Thurston County Jail for first-degree arson and first-degree malicious mischief.

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