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.”