KIRO NEWS 7, TACOMA, Wash. — Arsons in Tacoma are surging, going up nearly 200% from this time last year. The fire department presented new data to Tacoma City Council earlier this week, stating the city saw 82 arsons between June 1 and Aug. 1. During the same time period in 2020, the city saw 28 arsons. The latest fire, likely intentionally set, was at a homeless encampment near East 38th and East McKinley Avenue in South Tacoma. “It is reported and alleged one of the members of the encampment was upset at another one and lit some garbage on fire,” said Alex Wilsie, assistant chief at Tacoma fire. Neighbors in the area said the flames shot up 15-20 feet in the air, sending up huge plumes of smoke and setting off small explosions inside the camp. To continue reading this story, visit KIRO News 7.