Sumner man killed in apartment building fire identified by medical examiner
A 66-year-old Sumner man who died in an apartment building fire earlier this month was identified Wednesday by the Pierce County medical examiner.
Rollyn Tucker died Jan. 7 of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office said in a news release. The fire broke out that morning in the second-floor unit of a fourplex located in the 15900 block of 52nd Street East. Fire officials previously said a second person who lived with Tucker escaped the flames.
East Pierce Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched at about 9:45 a.m. that morning, and firefighters saw flames coming from a second-floor window. Officials said in a tweet that firefighters contained the fire to the apartment where it started within about 15 minutes.
No one else was hurt, but officials said other units in the fourplex were affected.
It’s unclear how the fire started, but Sumner communications director Carmen Palmer said Thursday it was clear from the fire investigation that it was accidental. She said investigators have ruled out the possibility that the fire was started as part of a criminal act.
“We still recognize this was a very sad circumstance and share our condolences with Mr. Tucker’s family, neighbors and friends.” Palmer said in a message to The News Tribune.
The victim’s nephew started a GoFundMe to raise money after the fire. According to the fundraising page, Tucker lived with his sister in the apartment. While she was able to escape, the nephew said, Tucker’s sister lost everything she owned.
This story was originally published January 19, 2023 at 12:36 PM.
