Tacoma house fire leaves three hospitalized; possible stabbing under investigation
Jan 20, 2026, 6:16 AM | Updated: 3:27 pm
Tacoma Fire responding to a house fire on the 4000 block of S. 34th Street. (Photo courtesy of Tacoma Fire)
(Photo courtesy of Tacoma Fire)
The Tacoma Police Department was called to respond to a stabbing, and found a chaotic scene involving arson and multiple injuries.
A Tacoma neighborhood was flooded with police cars and fire trucks Tuesday morning. Initially, someone called 911 to report an assault at approximately 4:30 a.m. from the 4000 block of S. 34th Street, a residential neighborhood not far from the Fircrest Golf Club.
When police got there, they found a house on fire and people evacuating any way they could, including jumping out of windows.
Police said three people were stabbed. One of those people also suffered life-threatening burns from the fire, which investigators said may have been intentionally set in one of the bedrooms.
All three of them were taken to local hospitals.
4000 blk S 34th St, 4:43am – TFD and TPD responded to a possible stabbing and house fire. TFD transported 3 patients to area hospitals, and quickly got the fire under control. TFD & TPD are on scene investigating both incidents. pic.twitter.com/AsnVFXqnJc
— Tacoma Fire (@TacomaFire) January 20, 2026
“We put out information about the suspect and officers were able to locate them around 20 blocks from the location,” Tacoma Police Public Information Officer Shelby Boyd said. “Initially, the adult male fled on foot, but gave up shortly thereafter.”
That suspect was booked into jail for three counts of assault in the first degree and one count of arson in the first degree.
The fire was fully extinguished in about 10 minutes.
“We essentially went in to tackle a fire that was essentially some contents that might have been set on fire that might have spread into a room,” Tacoma Fire Public Information Officer Chelsea Shepherd said. “There’s not a whole lot of actual fire damage. It’s fairly contained, but there is significant smoke damage in the house right now from the fire.”
In addition to injuries, we’re told the occupants will be unhoused for the time being because of that damage.
Police said it’s a chaotic scene, and investigators are still piecing together what happened.
This is a developing story, check back for updates
