Investigators Find Illegal Residences in Historic Tacoma, WA, Theater after Fire
The Peninsula Gateway (Gig Harbor, Wash.)
(TNS)
The City of Tacoma discovered illegal residences within the Temple Theatre while investigating a recent fire, and has ordered tenants to leave with relocation assistance, city spokesperson Maria Lee told The News Tribune Friday.
The historic venue made headlines on May 12 after plumes of dark smoke billowing from the building spread across downtown Tacoma. The Tacoma Fire Department determined an electrical fire likely caused the blaze. The damage was contained to the roof.
While evaluating the site after the fire, investigators found multiple areas in the building were inhabited by residential tenants illegally renting the space, Lee said. The building is not registered for residential use, and the city had no record of any tenants at the location.
The building still lacks power and poses a “life-safety hazard,” which prompted the city to post a formal “Do Not Occupy” order on June 11, Lee said.
The order requires the landlord to pay relocation assistance to the displaced tenants within seven days, Lee said. The city will issue a notice to the landlord that outlines legal responsibilities to the residents.
The city may also impose penalties against the owner, such as establishing fines of $250 per day for the next 10 days, then escalating to $500 per day after that, Lee said.
If the landlord refuses these obligations, Washington state law allows tenants to pursue a civil suit to recover the money they are owed.
The exact number of tenants who live in the building is unknown at this time, Lee said.
The News Tribune reached out to the building’s owner Lawrence Boileau, through email and multiple phone calls this week, but was told he was out of town and could not answer questions.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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