Neighbors Rescue McKinleyville Resident From Mobile Home Fire, Arcata Fire Chief Says
Video of the fire provided by AFD.
Arcata Fire District press release:
McKinleyville, CA – At approximately 3 p.m. Arcata Fire was dispatched to a residential
structure fire at the 2800 block of McKinleyville Avenue. The Chief Officer out of the
McKinleyville Station was the first to arrive and reported a fully involved single-wide
mobile home. The fire was being impacted by heavy winds, causing two additional
residence to be immediately threatened. The engine out of the McKinleyville Station
arrived and was assigned to protect the exposure buildings.
Today’s mobile home fire in McKinleyville. | AFD
Firefighters successfully protected both structures, then were able to focus their efforts
toward the main fire building. The building was 100% involved with fire, however, with
the neighbors help, the sole occupant was able to escape safely.
Chief McDonald reports: “We are extremely thankful for the neighbors who were able to
carry the resident to safety. Had they not been able to take action, this would have been
a fire fatality.”
Early indications point towards an accidental fire, however, the investigation is still
ongoing. The structure was a complete loss and the owners vehicle was also a total
loss. Red Cross was called in to assist with temporary housing due to displacement of
the resident. A $250 SAVE card was issued to the resident to assist the displaced
resident with incidental needs. The SAVE program is financed entirely through private
and corporate donations mad through the California Fire Foundation.
There were no injuries and Arcata Fire thanks the following agencies for their
assistance at this incident: Westhaven Fire, Fieldbrook Fire, CalFire (Trinidad Station)
and Blue Lake Fire who covered the District. There were a total of 18 firefighters and
three Chief Officers at the scene. Arcata Fire District Volunteers also provided logistical
support at the fire scene.
The resident reported that her smoke alarms did not activate. Arcata Fire District would
like to remind the community to check your smoke alarm for proper operation and
change your batteries when you change your clocks for daylight savings.