Rental across from Cutten Elementary on fire

A rental (owned by Mike and Marci Piggs) directly across from Cutten Elementary School caught fire. The fire is under control now. Address 4159 Walnut. This is not the official reason from Humboldt Bay Fire but according to tenants, the fire started at the wood stove.

Humboldt Bay Fire Press Release (11:57 p.m): 

 On April 29th, 2019 at 9:41P.M., Humboldt Bay Fire responded to a report of a fire in a home on the 4100 Block of Walnut Drive.

Community members driving passed the home noticed flames coming from the roof, pulled over, called 9-1-1, and alerted the residents of the home by knocking on the front door. Aided by these efforts, residents inside the home at the time of the fire made it out safely.

Humboldt Bay Fire responded with 4 Fire Engines, 1 Ladder Truck, 2 Command Staff, and 1 Public Information Officer. After upgrading the scene to a 2nd Alarm, Arcata Fire also assisted on scene.  HBF Engine Companies made huge efforts to protect the family’s home, covering the entire first floor living room in salvage covers while beginning fire attack, saving many of the family’s belonging from damage.

After obtaining fire control, HBF also partnered with the Red Cross to ensure the residents of the home have alternate housing until re-entry of the home is possible and helped to retrieve belongings from the home.  Damage is estimated to be around $150,000.  There are no reported injuries at this time. 

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Humboldt Bay Fire would like to thank Arcata Fire District, Samoa Peninsula Fire District, Loleta Volunteer Fire Department, PG&E, American Red Cross, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, and HBF Fire Support for on scene assistance and coverage.

This fire was localized mainly to the attic space, where there were no smoke detectors. The fire had already spread before eventually alarming the detectors in the upstairs bedroom. Humboldt Bay Fire would like to recommend that the community consider installing smoke detectors in attics and other void spaces where fire may spread unnoticed.