Humboldt Bay Fire press release:

 

At 9:08 p.m. last night, Humboldt Bay Fire responded to a structure fire at 3920 Union Street. Firefighters arrived to find a residence with heavy fire and smoke to the rear and front of the house. A neighbor, who had reported the fire, stated no-one was inside. Firefighters began attacking the fire, which proved difficult due to the deep-seated nature of the fire and large accumulations of household goods in the house and yard. Firefighters extinguished the fire after 30 minutes but performed heavy overhaul for several hours due to the fire having travelled beneath the house, involving multiple floor structural members and void spaces. The occupant’s contents were nearly all consumed or damaged by the fire and smoke, with the structure receiving heavy fire charring and damage to most of the interior rooms and structural members.

12 firefighters, 2 fire support volunteers, California Highway Patrol, City Ambulance of Eureka and Pacific Gas and Electric Company all responded to the scene. Samoa Peninsula Fire District provided station coverage.

No injuries were sustained by firefighters or the occupants. The structure suffered a total loss due to extensive fire and smoke damage.

The house had no gas or electrical utility services. The fire cause and origin appeared suspicious in nature and are under investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Humboldt Bay Fire would like to remind all residents that properly installed and maintained smoke alarms play a vital role in saving lives. Smoke and fire can spread rapidly and go undetected. Smoke alarms provide valuable time to get out before the possibility of being trapped. Closing doors as you exit will also slow or stop fire spread, protects belongings and the home from further damage, and provides your firefighters with more time to contain and extinguish the fire.