PREVIOUSLY:

Reader-submitted photo.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department:

On Thursday, November 19, 2015 at approximately 4:05 p.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Humboldt Bay Fire to respond to a suspicious residential fire on the 1200 block of Freshwater Rd, Eureka. Deputies responded and spoke with Humboldt Bay Fire’s Battalion Chief who stated he believed the fire was caused by a hash lab explosion from inside the residence.

The Deputy spoke with one of the persons who was in the residence when the fire started but was interrupted by their attorney. The attorney advised the involved person not to speak with the Deputy in regards to this incident. The Deputy was informed of two additional subjects who were in the residence during the fire and they were now at a local hospital. The Deputy responded to the hospital and began questioning the involved party when their attorney appeared and advised them not to speak with the Deputy in regards to this incident as well.

Due to the lack of cooperation with this incident this case has been forwarded to the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division for further investigation.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.