Fire in abandoned west Olympia house appeared to be set by intruder
The Olympia Fire Department was dispatched at 9:17 p.m. Thursday to a fire in an abandoned house near Fourth Avenue and Black Lake Boulevard Southwest.
Assistant fire chief Kevin Bossard said the home was completely boarded up other than an opening in the back that someone had created. When crews arrived, Bossard said flames were coming out of the one opening to the home.
He said firefighters were able to get inside the house and knock the fire down. There was nobody inside the home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.
Bossard said it was clear the fire was started by a person who may have used it as a heat source or for food. The home had no power and gas sources had been turned off. Bossard said there didn’t appear to be any ill intent with starting the fire, and the cause has been established as undetermined.
Bossard said the fire required a full residential response, meaning all four Olympia engines were deployed, along with a ladder truck and EMS crews. He said officials have made efforts to reach the homeowner to make them aware of the situation.
This story was originally published May 26, 2023 at 8:44 AM.