Press release from Arcata Fire District:

On Wednesday, June 12 at 6:30 P.M. three engines from Arcata Fire were dispatched to a commercial structure fire at the 1500 block of Nursery Way. The first arriving engine found light smoke coming from a commercial structure. Fire personnel entered the structure and confirmed the fire was out. There was smoke throughout the structure. At that point, the fire officer in charge canceled all additional responding fire units and began ventilating the building.

A neighboring business owner reported to fire personnel that he had entered the business where the fire was and had extinguished a Lithium Ion battery that was burning.

Fire damage was limited to E-bike components and a table within the business, and light smoke damage throughout the business space.

The cause of the fire was determined to be an E-Bike battery that was left charging and had failed.

Arcata Fire would like to thank citizen Andrew Jordan of Surfside Sips for his actions which likely saved the entire building and its contents. We would also like to remind the public to make sure that their fire extinguishers are charged annually and after use. Also, use caution when charging Lithium Ion batteries, and never leave them unattended while charging.