2 arrested for trying to set man on fire at Olympia homeless encampment, records show

OLYMPIA — Two men in their 30s accused of trying to set a man on fire at the homeless encampment known as the Jungle are in custody, Thurston County Jail information shows.

The first arrest was on Friday. That man, 31, was booked on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and first-degree arson.

The second man, also 31, was arrested Saturday. He has been booked on suspicion of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree arson, first-degree assault and intimidating a witness, according to the county information.

The arrests stem from an incident that unfolded earlier this month.

About 1 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, Olympia police were dispatched to the 3200 block of Martin Way East where they found a 47-year-old man severely burned across his torso and face, The Olympian reported.

The man was first taken to Providence St. Peter Hospital and then transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, which deals with the most critical trauma cases.

At the time, the victim was reportedly in stable condition, police said.

Police think one or two people confronted the victim. An argument ensued, and someone threw a chemical on the man and set it on fire, Lt. Paul Lower previously said.

“It was quite a horrifying scene,” he said.