Olympia, WA – A tense court-ordered eviction in Thurston County turned dangerous Wednesday morning after a tenant allegedly set fire to part of a duplex during a standoff with deputies.
According to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrived around 9 a.m. on January 28, 2026, at a residence in the 4800 block of Carpenter Road SE to enforce the eviction. Despite multiple prior notices, officials said the tenant refused to leave and was “uncooperative.”
Deputies first negotiated to remove a dog from the home, which was safely taken by Animal Services. Shortly afterward, a fire broke out inside the tenant’s side of the duplex while the adjoining unit remained occupied.
The sheriff’s office said negotiations continued until the tenant exited the residence and allegedly armed himself with a hatchet. After repeated verbal commands and use of less-lethal tools, deputies deployed a taser and took the suspect into custody.
The man was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. When released, he will be booked into the Thurston County Jail for First-Degree Arson and First-Degree Malicious Mischief.
Authorities confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have a tip? Message us!
