Press release from the Arcata Fire District:

On Thursday, June 27 at 11:30 P.M., units from Arcata Fire District, Humboldt Bay Fire Authority, and Westhaven Volunteer Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire (barn on fire) on the 100 Block of Wagon Jack Lane off Fickle Hill Road in Arcata.

The first arriving Arcata Fire unit found a fully involved 20 foot by 30 foot barn. The residents of the property indicated that there were no people inside the building. The structure had already collapsed before fire personnel arrived. Firefighters engaged in a defensive operation, protecting nearby residences.

While fighting this fire, Arcata Fire District, Samoa Fire Protection District, and Humboldt Bay Fire Authority were dispatched to a reported residential structure fire in the Manila area. Some units involved in the barn fire on Fickle Hill were immediately released and responded to the residential fire in Manila.

Samoa Fire Protection District arrived on scene first and reported a fully involved manufactured home with the occupants outside. Humboldt Bay Fire and Arcata Fire District units arrived next and secured a water supply. Units protected nearby structures from radiant heat from the now collapsed manufactured home. While fighting the fire, personnel were advised that the occupant of the home was suffering from smoke inhalation. An ambulance was requested to the scene. Fire personnel rendered aid and evaluated the patient. The patient denied any additional medical treatment. As fire personnel got the fire under control, the scene was investigated for the cause.

During the investigation, firefighters learned that the occupant’s dogs had alerted him to the fire that had started in the kitchen area. The occupant was able to get out, however, his dogs were not and perished in the blaze.

Due to the extent of the damage at both fires, investigators were unable to determine a precise cause for either fire.

Both structure fires were total losses. The estimated loss to the barn on Fickle Hill is approximately $40,000. The loss to the residence in Manila was approximately $90,000. Arcata Fire District extends our thoughts to both families for the losses they suffered as fires can be emotionally traumatic- especially with the loss of pets. Smoke alarms are the best way to be alerted to a fire, allowing occupants to escape.

Thank you to our allied partners Samoa Fire District, Humboldt Bay Fire Authority and Westhaven Volunteer Fire Department who responded to both fires.

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UPDATE: A GoFundMe for the victim has been set up here.