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Thurston County man dies in fire; police seek roommates
Thurston County man dies in fire; police seek roommates
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A local veteran trying to help others is dead after a tragic fire. The man opened up his home to a couple of strangers, and investigators said the fire they set led to his death.
It’s hard for Josh Clow to see his great uncle’s house destroyed, even more so knowing 79-year old Jack Thomas didn’t make it out alive.
“Everything was engulfed in flames, they had fires that spread across this street from the explosions,” said Clow, who arrived on the fire scene soon after it started.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said the fire broke out at about 3 a.m. Wednesday. Several neighbors called 911 to report the flames.
“Two people were outside prior to that, basically burning debris in a homemade fire pit,” said Thurston County sheriff’s Lt. Cliff Ziesemer. “The explosion occurred from that point onto the house.”
Investigators said those two people were 32-year old Nicole McPherson and 39-year old Aaron Meyers, who were staying on Thomas’ property.
McPherson received minor injuries and deputies arrested her for outstanding warrants.
Neighbors said they saw Meyers running through the woods soon after the fire and hasn’t been seen since. He’s now wanted for questioning.
“We’re trying to get his versions of events of what happened. Why was the fire built, what was the purpose of that, and also why did he run and not try to save his friend?” Ziesemer said.
Family members said Thomas, a Korean War vet and a longtime member of the community, often allowed people in need to stay in his home, but had also recently expressed concern.
“We do know that he took them in, gave them a place to stay; eventually he wanted them out,” said Clow.
They don’t know what went wrong but hope finding Meyers will shed some light.
"The sooner he is caught, the sooner everybody will sleep a little easier at night,” said Clow.
Meyers also has outstanding warrants out for his arrest. Investigators aren’t calling him a suspect in this case. They’d just like to talk to him about what happened.