One dead in Buckley fire | Update

Unknown chemicals identified as flamable materials like paint cans, gasoline.

Nov. 21 update: According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, the unknown chemicals around the barn included paint, gas, oil, gas powered tools, and aerosol cans.

Other flammable objects were also in the barn.

While the cause of the fire is still under investigation and will be determined by the fire marshal, “multiple other people reported the victim would normally sleep with a small fireplace on and sometimes would put too large of pieces of wood it in and they would stick out,” PCSD Public Information Officer Carley Cappetto. “It was also reported he used a space heater in the make-shaft room he was living in.”

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Nov. 19: One person died in a Buckley fire on Nov. 18.

According to news reports, the fire, which engulfed a barn-like outbuilding on 112th Street East around 12:30 a.m.

According to East Pierce Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Kevin Stabenfeldt, the building was difficult for emergency responders to reach.

“There are multiple buildings on this site, multiple vehicles, multiple RVs … we had to navigate that while we worked to put out the fire,” East Pierce Fire & Rescue (EPFR) Assistant Chief Kevin Stabenfeldt told KOMO news.

The yet-unidentified 50-year-old man was found dead inside the building during the firefight.

A total of 13 agencies responded to the fire, which was under control by 1:37 a.m.

It’s been reported that Pierce County deputies found unknown chemicals spread out on the property, though it’s unclear if they’re related to the fire at this time.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, although the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department has said there’s no indication of foul play.

This is an ongoing story, and updates will be published as details are made public.

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