Fire damages motel in Tumwater, fire official says

Guests were evacuated from the Tumwater Motel 6 off Capitol Boulevard Sunday morning when fire damaged second-floor units, a fire official said Monday.

About 10:25 a.m. Sunday, Tumwater fire crews were dispatched to 400 Lee St. SW after a report of a commercial structure fire, said Deputy Fire Chief Shawn Crimmins.

As crews arrived, they could see smoke and flames, although the fire was knocked down by fire crews about 10 minutes after they arrived, Crimmins said.

Five units on the second floor received the most fire damage, he said. Some ground-floor units were damaged by water, he said.

At least two of the five units were occupied, although no injuries were reported, Crimmins said.

The fire is under investigation, he said. The cause, origin and a damage estimate were not immediately known.

Tumwater fire crews received support from Olympia, East Olympia, West Thurston, Griffin, McLane/Black Lake and Lacey fire crews.

This story was originally published October 20, 2025 at 11:21 AM.