Fifth street fire originated near a living room couch, Humboldt bay Fire contains fire to apartment

Humboldt Bay Fire responded three engines, one ladder truck and two battalion
chiefs to a structure fire at 117 5th Street. Upon arrival the first battalion
observed and reported fire on the second floor of a two story mixed occupancy
building, with apartments being affected on the second floor. Due to the high life
hazard and the threat of fire extending to neighboring businesses a second alarm
was requested.

The second due battalion chief arrived and reported a burn victim had escaped
the building and was located in the alley. An ambulance was requested. Fire
and ambulance personnel treated the patient for serious burn injuries and he was
transported to the hospital.

As engine and ladder truck crews arrived an aggressive interior fire attack was
conducted while additional crews searched the entire building to check for
trapped occupants. The fire was quickly contained to the apartment of origin, but
all apartments on the second floor sustained minor smoke damage. No additional
victims were located.

HBF fire investigators worked in an effort to determine origin and cause. The
area of origin was determined to be in the vicinity of a living room couch, but the
exact cause remains undetermined, pending further interviews of the apartment’s
occupants or other witnesses.