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Press release from Humboldt Bay Fire:

At about 4:43p.m. on Tuesday, January 4, the sight and smell of smoke coming from a boarded-up home on the 900 block of West Harris Street alerted a neighbor to call 9-1-1, hoping that no one was trapped inside. Humboldt Bay Fire crews responded quickly. Even before they reached the home they could smell the fire as smoke crept down the block. Once in view, they saw thick grey smoke billowing from a single-story home and began attacking the fire.

Crews worked offensively, extinguishing the flames and searching for any occupants. Thankfully, the home was unoccupied and no civilians or firefighters were injured. Crews were able to fully extinguish the fire and prevent any spread to nearby homes and vegetation.

The estimated worth of the home is $150,000 and damage is estimated at $75,000.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation at the time of this publication.

Humboldt Bay Fire would like to thank Eureka Police Department, City Ambulance, and Humboldt Bay Fire Support for their assistance on scene. We would also like to thank the diligent neighbor who saw something and called it in right away. The value of knowing your neighbors and participating in a system where you look out for one another and your neighborhood is invaluable.

This fire marks the third structure fire of the year for Humboldt Bay Fire with two previous fires occurring on January 2 and January 3, 2022. Home heating is a large source of fires during this season. We urge the public to practice extra vigilance when heating your home during this inclement weather. Ensure your chimney is inspected and your floor heaters are clear of combustibles. Humboldt Bay Fire is always here to answer your questions or come by for a home safety check. The safety of this community is our top priority.