Estimated damage $10,000 for structure fire on Walnut Drive

At 11:46 A.M. today three engines, a ladder truck, and Battalion Chief from Humboldt Bay Fire responded to a reported structure fire on the 4400 Block of Walnut Drive. 

The first arriving unit found a two-story, woodframed structure with smoke coming from multiple windows and doors of the structure. A second alarm was requested for additional resources to the scene to assist with firefighting operations. 

Crews initiated an interior attack of the fire and search of the structure. Crews quickly determined that the occupant had self-evacuated and was uninjured. 

An additional Battalion Chief from Humboldt Bay Fire and a mutual aid engine from the Arcata Fire Protection District responded to the fire to assist with firefighting operations.  

Due to the construction of the building and large quantity of combustible materials and belongings in the residence, crews had difficulty accessing the fire. After additional crews arrived on scene, personnel were able to open concealed spaces and extinguish the fire. Firefighters had the fire controlled in about 30 minutes and remained on scene for another hour to ensure there were no additional hot spots in any of the concealed spaces of the structure.   

Humboldt Bay Fire conducted an origin and cause investigation and determined that the fire was accidental. It appeared to be caused by a heat gun being used for maintenance igniting combustible materials in an open stud-bay of a wall. Fire then traveled up the stud-bay and in to nearby concealed spaces. 

Estimated damage from the incident is $10,000. There were no injuries to civilians or animals in the residence.   

Humboldt Bay Fire would like to thank the Arcata Fire Protection District for their assistance at the fire, as well as Loleta Fire District and Blue Lake Fire District for their coverage of the Humboldt Bay Fire area during the incident.   

Humboldt Bay Fire is reminding everyone that while heat guns do not have an open flame, they can still ignite combustible materials. Always ensure that a work area is completely cool before leaving it.