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PREVIOUSLY:

• “Scanner Traffic Indicates,” May 15.

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Press release from Blue Lake Fire:

On May 15, 2023 at approximately 9:12am Blue Lake Fire Department was dispatched to a reported residential structure fire at the 500 block of Hartman Street. Initial reports stated there was a possible explosion at the residence. One Blue Lake Engine responded as well as the Blue Lake Chief. Upon arrival crews found a single story residential structure fully involved.

Firefighting operations established a defensive attack. It was determined that the “explosions” heard from the residence was the result of a large amount of ammunition present as scene. The Humboldt County Sherriff’s Office issued an evacuation order for the residents in the immediate area of Hartman and Blue Lake Boulevard. Fire personnel had the fire knocked down in approximately 35 minutes after the initial dispatch.

One dog was rescued from the structure, however, one dog and two cats were not accounted for at scene after firefighters looked through the home after the fire was controlled. Blue Lake’s Chief began to release mutual aid resources at approximately 11:00am; crews remained on scene for clean up until 12:30pm. The cause of the fire is still under investigation; at this time it is unclear as to what started the fire.

Blue Lake Fire would like to thank our allied partners for their assistance during this incident, Fieldbrook Fire, Arcata Fire, Humboldt Bay Fire, and Westhaven Fire. We would also like to thank CHP, PG&E and HCSO.