Press release from Humboldt Bay Fire:

On Friday March 22, 2024 at approximately 3:30pm, Humboldt Bay Fire responded to a structure fire at 901 C Street for a report of an apartment on fire. Three engines, one truck, two Chief Officers, and two Fire Support Volunteers responded.

The first unit arrived on scene and initially reported nothing showing in a two story, five- unit apartment complex. Following further investigation, the Captain reported light gray smoke coming from a second-floor apartment and the roof eaves. The Battalion Chief assumed Incident Command and declared a working fire. Additional units arrived on scene and initiated actions to extinguish the fire, search the building, and remove smoke from the apartments. All occupants had exited the building and no injuries were reported. The Incident Commander requested a second alarm for two additional units - one to respond to the incident, and one to provide station coverage. Humboldt Bay Fire experiences multiple calls at the same time – known as stacked calls – almost 60% of the time for our annual average of 8,000 calls for service!

The fire was controlled within 10 minutes, with the fire attack company containing the fire to the main living area of the fire apartment. Crews then checked adjoining apartments for any fire or smoke damage, and performed overhaul in the fire apartment to ensure the fire did not extend to any other areas of the building. PG&E was on scene and assisted fire personnel in restoring utilities to the other four apartments, and assisted occupants with re-entering their homes.

Smoke Alarms Save Lives. The incident was stabilized after one hour, with crews remaining on scene for an additional three hours for overhaul, investigation and assisting the property owner with securing the building. HBF investigators assessed the cause and origin of the fire and concluded the origin was in the kitchen. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. Damage from the fire and smoke was limited to the apartment involved with fire and is estimated at $25,000 including contents. No civilian or firefighter injuries occurred.

HBF would like to thank Eureka PD who assisted temporarily displaced occupants, and Arcata Fire Protection District for providing station coverage.

Humboldt Bay Fire remind everyone that smoke alarms save lives! A working smoke alarm should be in every bedroom, in the hallway and on each floor of a residence.

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