Two residential fires hit Eureka

Over $100,000 in estimated damages due to apparent accidents

Humboldt Sentinel staff
8/26/09

Eureka

Two fires hit residential structures in the last week in Eureka, and the local Red Cross is asking for assistance in helping displaced fire victims.

The first, at 5:16 a.m. on Aug. 20, struck a home at 1131 Twelfth Street, where firefighters from the Eureka Fire Department and Humboldt Fire District No. 1 discovered smoke filling the house from a source in the basement.

The resident had fled the home previous to the arrival of fire crews, and additional crews called in to search the structure for occupants found no victims, while the first engine prosecuted fighting the burning flames coming out of the basement and starting to spread to wall spaces on the west side of the residence.

Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire using an inch and three quarter hand line, and no injuries were reported by the crew, who estimated initial fire damage at $70,000, and the property value saved at $240,000.

EFD assistant fire chief Bill Gillespie reminded local residents that with recently cooling temperatures during the night, heaters and floor furnaces may be activated even with thermostats set at their lowest setting, which could cause combustibles to catch fire if they are in contact or too close to the heating device.

Initial fire damage estimated at $70,000. Severe damage occurred in the basement area, with limited spread into two walls. Also damaged were a number of windows and a door during suppression activities. The living quarters suffered significant smoke damage, but very little heat damage.

The second fire was just two days later, at 1:46 p.m. on Aug. 22 when EFD and HFD firefighters teamed up again to respond to a structure fire, this time at 411 D Street downtown, where they found heavy smoke emerging from the first floor of a three story building.

Upon sending their first team in, the engine company found the fire burning in the furniture and clothing of a small first story apartment. Apparently the residents had attempted to extinguish the fire before exiting the structure, according to EFD fire captain Kent Hulbert.

Additional engine companies then arrived to attack the first floor area with the help of a nearby hydrant, while crews were also assigned to search the basement, second and third floors for additional occupants and for any signs of fire spread. Crews were successful in using their inch and three quarter line to extinguish the apartment fire, while Pacific Gas and Electric officials were summoned to remove power to the building so that fire inside the electrical conduit could be dealt with.

While no injuries were reported from residents or the firefighter crews, Red Cross volunteers arrived on scene to provide aid to 15 displaced occupants. Local officials are asking for concerned community members to help the Humboldt County Chapter’s efforts by donating to its Disaster Response Fund by calling them at (707) 445-4521.

EFD estimated initial fire damage at $35,000, while an estimated $1 million in property was saved due to the swift response time. Most damage occurred in the apartment area and the deck area above, with other living quarters on the first and second floors suffering smoke damage and broken windows, but very little heat damage.

The second fire is also being treated as an apparent accident.