Man arrested after allegedly setting historic building on fire

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A man was arrested after he admitted to setting fire to the historic Brewmaster’s House in Tumwater.

Tumwater police said in a Facebook post that officers and fire department personnel were dispatched to the building after a reported structure fire in the 600 block of Deschutes Parkway. The reporting party knocked to ensure that no one was in the building.

Brewmaster’s House, formerly the Henderson House Museum, is a two-and-a-half-story home near lower Tumwater falls that dates back to the early 20th century.

Authorities arrived at the scene and saw the northeast corner of the building on fire. Tumwater Fire put out the blaze and found substantial damage to the area.

An investigator from the Olympia Fire Department later arrived and determined that the fire was set intentionally.

Tumwater police said surveillance footage captured a male approaching the building from the west side of the street and lighting a butane torch. The man walked over to the northeast corner of the building and appeared to be attempting to light it on fire, police said. He then crossed the street.

On Monday morning, detectives returned to the area to contact transient individuals known to live there. A detective recognized one person as the man from the surveillance video, based on his clothing and description. The man also had a fresh burn wound on one of his hands.

The man admitted to detectives that he attempted to start the fire because he was angry at another person, Tumwater police said. The report did not identify the other person.

The suspect was booked into the Thurston County Jail for second-degree arson after he was given treatment for his burn wound.

Comments

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  • FirstOtter

    I wonder if this homeless bum isn't the same jerk who burned down some of the buildings in Downtown Olympia.

    Bet the arsonist back out on the street now.

    Tuesday, January 24, 2023 Report this

  • JulesJames

    Burning a historic structure because he was angry with another transient?!?!? Just more proof to be ignored by too many that transient encampments are inherently immediate dangers to their neighbors. These are not stable people in stable environments. Anywhere -- jail included -- is better for them and us.

    Wednesday, January 25, 2023 Report this

  • pbaron1902

    Just moving homeless from "here to there" isn't going to change anything.

    The underlying problems must be addressed.

    Wednesday, January 25, 2023 Report this