Man set on fire at area homeless camp early Tuesday morning, Olympia police say

A 47-year-old man is in stable condition at a regional hospital after Olympia police say he was set on fire at a homeless encampment known as the Jungle.

About 1 a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 3200 block of Martin Way East where they found a man severely burned across his torso and face. He also may have been assaulted, Police Lt. Paul Lower said.

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.

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, Lower said.

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

Remnants of a burnt T-shirt were found. Police think he took it off or tried to take it off after it was set on fire, Lower said.

Detectives are investigating, Lower said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Olympia police at 360-753-8300.

4 men arrive with pepper spray and shotgun during deal to sell bicycle, Olympia police say