By Jessie Faulkner and John Driscoll
The Eureka Times-Standard
ARCATA, Calif. — A clothing, art and jewelry store at a busy intersection in Arcata was damaged in a fire Monday afternoon.
The Emerald at Spear Avenue and Alliance Road billowed smoke from its roof as firefighters carved a hole through the shingles. Dozens of onlookers watched as fire crews doused flames and broke through to hot spots in the building.
A call came in to the Arcata Fire District at about 1:30 p.m.
Arcata Fire Battalion Chief Justin McDonald said he immediately called for assistance from Blue Lake, Humboldt Fire District and the Eureka Fire Department.
McDonald said later that evening that an investigation did not find the cause of the fire, but it apparently started in the roof of the main building or in the structure that housed a meat locker, part of the old Alliance Market.
McDonald said the age and condition of the building made it difficult to fight the fire. Crews had to cut through walls to access the blaze, which was moving through open wall spaces.
“It’s one of those big old buildings that makes firefighters scared,” he said.
At the scene, store owner Stephanie Hamlet said she and some friends were sitting inside the store this afternoon, when they began to smell smoke.
When her friend kicked open the door to an adjacent room, she said, they saw a wall smoldering.
“This is my hopes and dreams going up in flames,” Hamlet said.
McDonald said he believed crews were able to cover up much of the merchandise and spare it from water damage.
Hamlet said she was fully insured and that everything would be replaced. But she stood in shock watching the fire continue to burn inside the store.
“This is my heart and soul,” Hamlet said. “My life’s work went into this.”
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