May 19—PULLMAN — A man has been charged with a felony for allegedly setting a Pullman home on fire before a standoff with the Whitman County SWAT team ensued Tuesday morning, authorities say.
Thomas Nguyen, 36, was arrested for suspicion of first-degree arson by SWAT officials, according to a Pullman Police Department news release.
Officers were called around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday to an armed, suicidal person inside a residence on the 1100 block of Northwest Davis Way, the news release said. As law enforcement attempted to make contact, they observed a fire inside of the home.
Cmdr. Ruben Harris said officers quickly evacuated residents inside of the structure, and no one was hurt.
Authorities believe the blaze originated in the basement. Harris said volunteers from Whitman County Fire District 12 were still at the scene Tuesday afternoon responding to the blaze. He added while the home is still standing, it is unsafe to occupy.
Law enforcement engaged in a two-hour standoff with Nguyen before he was arrested around noon, according to the news release. Harris said the SWAT team was called out after authorities were informed Nguyen possibly owned a firearm.
Nguyen was taken to Colfax’s Whitman Hospital & Medical Clinics after suffering minor injuries sustained by “impact munition” deployed by authorities, Harris said. He added that it was discovered Nguyen was armed with a hammer, and not a firearm during the incident.
Nguyen was booked into the Whitman County jail after receiving treatment on Tuesday.
Northwest Davis Way was temporarily closed and nearby residents were instructed to shelter in place during the incident. The roadway closure and quarantine measures were lifted later that afternoon.
The news release indicated the Washington State Patrol and Washington State University Police Department assisted.
Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com.
