Thurston County fire being investigated as possible arson

A Thurston County home was destroyed early Tuesday after a squatter is believed to have set it on fire, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Cliff Ziesemer said deputies responded to the home at 6916 Marvin Road at about 12:15 a.m. and found the home engulfed in flames.

Deputies learned that several people had been living in the house, which had been foreclosed upon. The squatters had begun arguing and a man threatened to set the house on fire.

A witness said he poured gasoline throughout the house and told the other squatters they had 30 seconds to get out, Ziesemer said.

The man and a few other people then climbed into a motorhome and attempted to leave. The motorhome crashed and the suspect fled on foot.

A K9 was called to the scene but was unable to locate the suspect.

Ziesemer said the Sheriff’s Office knows the identity of the suspect and that he is wanted on multiple outstanding warrants. There is also probable cause to arrest him in connection with the fire.

South Bay firefighters were at the scene Tuesday for fire suppression and an arson investigator will investigate the cause of the fire, Ziesemer said.

No injuries were reported.

This story was originally published March 1, 2016 at 5:52 AM with the headline "Thurston County fire being investigated as possible arson."