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Fircrest man who died in University Place horse trailer fire has been identified

A man fled an attempted break-in Sunday evening at a home in Fircrest and broke into a horse trailer on a property in University Place, according to Pierce County Sheriff’s Department deputies. A fire started inside the trailer, and when firefighters extinguished the flames, the man was found dead inside.
A man fled an attempted break-in Sunday evening at a home in Fircrest and broke into a horse trailer on a property in University Place, according to Pierce County Sheriff’s Department deputies. A fire started inside the trailer, and when firefighters extinguished the flames, the man was found dead inside. Pierce County Sheriff's Department

A Fircrest man who died from injuries sustained in a horse trailer fire has been identified.

Wesley Collett III, 34, died May 8 from smoke inhalation and thermal injury, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Earlier in the evening, Collett had allegedly tried to forcibly enter a Fircrest home, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department. He was forced out by residents.

He then fled to a University Place location where he entered the horse trailer. A fire started later and he was found dead by fire crews.

This story was originally published May 11, 2022 at 6:29 PM.

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Craig Sailor
The News Tribune
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Craig Sailor has worked for The News Tribune since 1998 as a writer, editor and photographer. He previously worked at The Olympian and at other newspapers in Nevada and California. He has a degree in journalism from San Jose State University.
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