Photos: Hank Sims

Humboldt Bay Fire responded to the 800 block of H Street in Eureka on report of a fire inside a boarded up house. Scanner traffic indicated that fire crews determined this to be a rubbish fire located in a room on the first floor. With chainsaws blaring, crews entered the house from the rear and worked to extinguish the blaze.

LoCO previously visited this location last October for a more sizable fire. At that point we were told the building was owned by notorious Eureka property owner Floyd Squires. Floyd was also on the scene this morning and told the Outpost he believes a person he kicked out of his apartment building next door moved into this building and started the fire. He said that his people check this building every day.

The Outpost then witnessed an exchange between Squires and Humboldt Bay Fire Deputy Fire Chief Bill Reynolds. Reynolds told Squires that the evidence they had is that people were dwelling in the “unsecured” building.

“We have a lot of evidence that people are living in here, not in the short term,” Reynolds said adding that Squires needs to get this thing “buttoned down.” Squires again asserted that a guy comes over and checks it every morning. Reynolds was not buying it and said he believes the guy must not be doing a very good job. He told Squires he’s going to have to secure this building.

“We’ll probably come by this afternoon and check on what kind of job you did,” Reynolds said.

Anyway, fire is out. Units are starting to clear.

PREVIOUSLY: Major Middle of the Night Fire in Vacant Building Near Downtown Eureka