On Friday, March 22, 2024, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Humboldt Bay Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 901 C Street for a report of an apartment fire. Three engines, one truck, two chief officers and two fire support volunteers responded.
The first units arrived on scene and the two-story, five-unit apartment complex was initially reported to be empty. Upon further investigation, the captain reported light gray smoke coming from the second floor and roof eaves of the apartment. The battalion chief took over incident command and declared fire. Additional forces arrived on scene and began extinguishing the fire, searching the building and clearing smoke from the apartment. All occupants were evacuated from the building and no injuries were reported. The incident commander requested his second alert for two additional units. One was to respond to incidents and he was one to provide communications for the station. At Humboldt Bay Fire, nearly 60 percent of the average 8,000 calls for service a year involve multiple calls occurring at the same time, known as stacked calls.
The fire was extinguished within 10 minutes and firefighters were able to extinguish the fire to the main living area of the fireproof apartment. Crews then checked adjacent apartments for fire or smoke damage and conducted an overhaul of the fire apartment to ensure the fire did not spread to other areas of the building. PG&E responded to the scene and assisted fire personnel in restoring utilities at four other apartment buildings and assisted residents in returning to their homes.
Smoke alarms save lives. The incident was brought under control after an hour, and crews remained on scene for a further three hours to inspect, investigate and assist the building owner in securing the building. HBF investigators assessed the cause and origin of the fire and concluded that the source was in the kitchen. The cause of the fire has not been determined at this time. Fire and smoke damage is limited to the apartment involved in the fire and is estimated at $25,000, including the contents. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.
HBF would like to thank the Eureka Police Department for assisting temporarily displaced residents and the Arcata Fire Protection District for providing station coverage.
The Humboldt Bay Fire reminds everyone that fire alarms save lives. Working smoke alarms must be installed in all bedrooms, hallways, and each floor of the home.
