Woman who died in house fire near Rainier is identified
A woman died in a house fire near Rainier Wednesday night, according to Southeast Thurston Fire Chief Mark King.
She was identified as Chelsea Spooner, 49, Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock said Thursday afternoon.
Her autopsy is set for Friday morning, he said.
About 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, fire crews were dispatched to the home in the area of 138th Avenue Southeast and Finian Road Southeast.
The fire was well under way when crews arrived, King said. They discovered the front door of the residence was locked and a car was parked nearby.
Once the flames were knocked down, an investigator was called in and found the body, he said. The female resident inside likely was asleep because, according to a neighbor, she got up early to go to work, King said.
A preliminary investigation shows the fire may have been ignited by candles, King said.
The house is a total loss, he said.
This story was originally published August 1, 2019 at 1:18 PM.
