Total damage for 31 W. Dollison Street fire estimated at $700,000

"The fire originated on the 2nd floor balcony of the townhome at the end of the complex and the cause of the fire is accidental in nature due to an improperly extinguished cigarette."

HBF Press Release:

At 1121 hrs on May 13th 2023, Humboldt Bay Fire responded with 3 Engines, 1 Truck and 1 Battalion Chief to a reported Structure Fire at W. Dollison St. and California St. in Eureka. 

The responding Battalion Chief reported a large column of black visible and declared a working Structure Fire and requested an immediate 2nd alarm. The first arriving unit reported heavy fire showing from the second floor of a 2 story townhouse with fire possible extending into 2 other connecting townhomes. 

The Eureka Police Department was already at scene evacuating residents from the neighboring townhomes.  An immediate search of the 3 connected townhomes was initiated by the 1st arriving Truck Company and the 1st arriving Engine company entered the involved townhome and began to extinguish the fire. 

Multiple hose lines were deployed and the fire was knocked down in 10 minutes. The fire extended into the attic space connecting all 3 town homes and was rapidly extinguished by fire crews inside the building. The fire was controlled in 30 minutes and all residents had evacuated all 3 townhomes prior to the arrival of Humboldt Bay Fire.  City Ambulance evaluated all the residents of the townhomes and reported no injuries and PG&E responded to the scene to secure the gas and electrical service to all 3 townhomes. 

The townhome where the fire originated suffered heavy fire damage and the other 2 connected townhomes suffered smoke and water damage. While searching the building Firefighters discovered a cat suffering from smoke inhalation and began resuscitative efforts on the cat which were unsuccessful. 2 additional cats are still unaccounted for after thoroughly searching all 3 townhomes. Firefighters remained on scene for 3 additional hours to completely extinguish the fire, conduct the fire investigation, assist displaced residents with temporary housing from the American Red Cross and work with the Property Management Company to secure the building. There were no civilian or Firefighter injuries and total damage is estimated at $700,000. 

The fire originated on the 2nd floor balcony of the townhome at the end of the complex and the cause of the fire is accidental in nature due to an improperly extinguished cigarette. 

Humboldt Bay would like to thank the Eureka Police Department for their assistance with rapidly evacuating the residents of the building, PG&E for securing the utilities to the building and City Ambulance for medical assessing the residents of the building on scene. Humboldt Bay Fire would also like to thank the Arcata Fire District, Loleta Fire District and Samoa-Peninsula Fire District for providing coverage of Humboldt Bay Fire’s jurisdiction during this incident. Humboldt Bay Fire would like to remind everyone to ensure cigarettes and other smoking materials are completely extinguished prior to disposal.