The Eureka Times Standard
ARCATA, Calif. — A suspicious fire in Arcata late Monday night in the 1300 block of L Street caused an estimated $150,000 in damages and has officials believing an arsonist may be on the loose.
Monday’s fire — which apparently started in a Dumpster — is the ninth that officials have deemed “suspicious” this month, and the 14th in the last three months, according to a press release from the Arcata Police Department.
Firefighters responded to a call at 11:37 p.m. Monday reporting a Dumpster fire at the intersection of 10th and L streets. Upon arrival, firefighters found a pile of debris burning next to a 108-year-old building, with fire extending into the walls, according to the release.
Arcata Police Department officers were already on scene trying to control the fire from the exterior of the building with a fire extinguisher. An automatic fire sprinkler system also activated and kept the blaze from extending through the interior of the building.
Fire was, however, spreading through the old building’s walls, according to the release.
Firefighters immediately attacked the fire, using chain saws to open the walls and stop its spread.
According to the release, it took 25 firefighters nearly 90 minutes to control the fire. Additional units responded from Eureka and Blue Lake, and engines from Humboldt Fire District and Westhaven Fire provided coverage for the Mad River and McKinleyville stations for the duration of the blaze.
The 6,400-square-foot building suffered damage to the exterior siding and framing along with water damage to the interior, according to the release. The building — valued at about $1.5 million — suffered an estimated $150,000 in damages, according to the release.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Because the fire appears to have started in debris outside the building, the fire district is asking residents to be diligent about leaving trash bins and containers at least five feet away from combustible walls and openings. Whenever possible, Arcata Fire recommends keeping the containers locked and in a well-lit area.
APD and the Arcata Fire Protection District believe that a single individual may be responsible for setting the string of 14 suspicious fires in the last few months, according to the release. APD is asking anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity relating to these arsons, or with any information as to the identity of the individual responsible, to contact the Arcata Police Department.
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