Updated
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The fire that gutted a taxidermy shop in Littlerock last week has been found to be arson.
West Thurston Regional Fire Authority Chief Russ Kaleiwahea said today he didn’t have many details, as the written report is not yet completed.
“In talking with the investigator, it’s my understanding it’s determined to be incendiary,” Kaleiwahea said. “That’s kind of a new word for arson.”
Alden’s Taxidermy is on Palermo Southwest, just east of Littlerock Road.
The fire was well underway when it woke neighbors who called 911 about 4:30 a.m. last Thursday. Arriving crews found a fully involved structure fire that extended to a pickup truck parked next to it and left just two walls standing, according to Chief Robert Scott.
Scott said at the time, he assumed there is a substantial loss of contents.
Alden’s advertises they offer services from skinning to custom mounting of wildlife from elephants to mice.
“It was not only his works of art, but people he was doing business for as well,” Lt. Lanette Dyer, a department spokesperson said.
A notice on Alden’s business web site states the phone is scheduled to be repaired and asks for contact via email to assist in inventorying items which may have been lost.
Elements of the investigation were turned over early on to the sheriff’s office when questions arose about some of the findings.
Dyer said various pieces which should have been there could not be found among the debris, leading to the possibility of theft.
A dog belonging to the owner Alden Johnson, was inside the building but has not been located either, she said. Johnson was in Hawaii at the time, getting married, she said.
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Greg Elwin said their arson investigator is working with the fire department and the business owner to evaluate evidence and identify persons of interest.