The Arcata Fire District responded to multiple fires Thursday evening. (AFD/Cooperation)

Below is a press release from the Arcata Fire District:

On Thursday, June 27 at 11:30 p.m., Arcata Fire District, Humboldt Bay Fire Authority and Westhaven Volunteer Fire Department units responded to a report of a structure fire – a burning barn – at 100 Wagon Jack Lane at Fickle Hill Road in Arcata.

The first arriving Arcata Fire unit found a fully occupied 20-by-30-foot barn. The occupants reported that there were no occupants inside the structure. The structure collapsed prior to the arrival of firefighters. Firefighters conducted a defensive operation, securing nearby homes.

While the fire was being extinguished, the Arcata Fire District, Samoa Fire Protection District and Humboldt Bay Fire Authority were dispatched to a reported residential fire in the Manila area. Some units responding to the Fickle Hill barn fire were immediately released and responded to the residential fire in Manila.

Samoa Fire Protection District was the first to arrive on scene and reported a manufactured home was fully involved with occupants located outside. Humboldt Bay Fire and Arcata Fire District units arrived next and secured the water supply. The units protected nearby structures from thermal radiation from the collapsed factory house. While extinguishing the fire, the fire brigade received information that the tenant of the house had smoke inhalation. An ambulance was called to the scene. Firefighters provided aid and examined the patient. The patient refused any additional treatment. Once firefighters had the fire under control, the cause was investigated on site.

During the investigation, firefighters learned that the tenant’s dogs had alerted him to a fire that had broken out in the kitchen area. The tenant managed to get out, but his dogs did not make it and died in the flames.

Due to the extent of the damage, investigators were unable to determine the exact cause of either fire.

Both structure fires were total losses. The estimated loss to the barn on Fickle Hill was about $40,000. The loss to the residence in Manila was about $90,000.

The Arcata Fire District sends our thoughts to both families for the loss they have suffered, as fires can be emotionally traumatic, especially when it comes to the loss of pets. Smoke alarms are the best way to be notified of a fire, allowing residents to escape.

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