1 person, 3 dogs, found dead in Rochester house fire Thursday morning
Firefighters found a dead person while responding to a residential fire in the Rochester area Thursday.
West Thurston Fire Authority was dispatched at about 9:45 a.m. to a home on James Road Southwest, according to a news release issued by WTFA Fire Chief Nathan Drake.
When firefighters got there, they observed heavy smoke and flames coming from the front door of the home. Crews immediately attacked the blaze while also conducting search and rescue operations for any potential occupants. During the initial search, crews found a dead person and three dead dogs, per the release.
“Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy,” the release states.
West Thurston crews brought the fire under control with assistance from multiple mutual aid agencies.
Assisting agencies included the Tumwater Fire Department, South Thurston Fire and EMS, McLane Black Lake Fire Department, Lacey Fire District 3, Grays Harbor Fire District 1, Riverside Fire and Rescue and the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.
The release says the cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
This story was originally published October 3, 2025 at 8:50 AM.
