Update on the Jan. 2 Arcata structure fire
A structure fire erupted at 10th and H St. in Arcata around 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 2, devastating much of the block. As stated in a press release posted by @arcatafiredistrict on Instagram on Jan. 3, the fire started at the 800 block of 10th St., near Hensel’s Hardware and spread to Global Village Gallery, Northtown Books, Dandar’s Boardgames and Books, Vanilla Sky and the apartments above these businesses. As of Jan. 28, the cause of the fire remains undetermined.
“We don’t like to speculate,” Arcata Fire Department Chief Chris Emmons said in an interview on Jan. 28. “Obviously we have many hypotheses that we have to test and that’s actually what it says in the guidelines. Our lead investigator on it, he had it down to about four or five different ignition sources that could have been in the area of origin.”
Emmons explained that the Arcata Fire Department follows the National Fire Protection Association guidelines for investigations (NFPA 921). As per NFPA 921, if there is more than one possible item of ignition, investigators are required to call the cause of the fire undetermined.
Emmons said because of the Arcata Fire Department’s limited resources, they’ve turned the investigation over to the insurance companies overseeing the businesses and apartment buildings, who are bound to the same guidelines of NFPA 921. The Arcata Fire Department can utilize any new information the insurance investigators find to add to their report.
Although the insurance investigation is ongoing, the Arcata Fire Department has urged the city to clean up any hazardous debris from the site.
“We have pushed from the fire side and with the city to at least get the paint portion of it cleaned up as quickly as possible, even if that’s before they finish their other investigation,” Emmons said.
On Jan. 3, Humboldt County’s Sheriff’s Office posted a News Flash proclaiming a local emergency related to the recent fire. The News Flash stated that water runoff could pose a threat to public safety as it most likely had mixed with ash, debris and potentially hazardous materials.
“Runoff may cause impacts to environmental resources, including storm drains, nearby waterways, neighboring properties and water quality, with possible downstream impacts to aquaculture operations, fisheries and sensitive aquatic habitats,” the News Flash said.
City of Arcata Environmental Services Admin Specialist, Brigitte Price, confirmed that drinking water is safe to consume, but runoff could put local ecosystems and wildlife at risk.
The community response to the fire has been the silver lining to this tragedy. Several crowdfunding agencies have been created to help those affected by the fire. On Jan. 31 – Feb. 1, Arcata Rising benefit weekend hosted over 50 bands and artists at Humboldt Brews. All proceeds were donated to the businesses and residences impacted by the fire. At noon on Feb. 1, the Plaza hosted the Hero’s Parade, honoring the firefighters and first responders.
Doranna Gilkey and Dan Gilkey — owners of Dandar’s Boardgames — have been overwhelmed by the positive response of the Arcata community.
“We’ve built the community over the years and this is how you can tell,” Doranna Gilkey said. “The roots we put down are running deep and so just like a redwood, we’re going to re-sprout.”
