Man on probation violation taken into custody on suspicion of five downtown fires

Humboldt Bay Firefighters and Eureka Police Officers were called to extinguish 

and investigate a string of five dumpster fires between the hours of 11:15 PM 

and 5:00 AM Sunday morning. Dumpster fires were extinguished adjacent to 

businesses at 14th and Broadway, 7th and K Street, 2nd and H Street, 3rd and H 

Street, and 4th and E Streets. All fires were confined to the dumpsters with no 

damage to nearby buildings.

During fire suppression EPD units assisted by checking alleyways in an attempt 

to locate a suspect or additional fires. While searching in the vicinity of 

businesses at 4th and E Streets, a 70 year old male, Mr. Ray Mason Keene was 

interviewed and eventually taken into custody by EPD officers for probation 

violations. Mr. Keene is on summary probation for previous arson-related 

charges. As of this press release no arson-related charges have been filed for 

last night’s fires and the investigation is ongoing. 

In the past two months firefighters and police officers have responded to 

numerous similar fires in downtown Eureka. Dumpster and refuse fires pose a 

significant threat of fire extension to adjacent buildings, vehicles, or other 

property. Business owners can reduce this hazard by closing and locking their 

dumpsters after business hours, and ensuring the area surrounding their 

buildings remains reasonably clear of trash and other debris.