News

Nobody died in the house fire on T-Bone Lane (near Indianola) early this morning, which Humboldt Bay Firefighters doused within 10 minutes after they began attack.

But, dangit, somebody -- a firefighter-somebody, or two or three or more -- could have been seriously injured because of all the dingdongs driving over the fire hose (pinching the water supply) while the firefighters were inside the burning house. Says the news release from Humboldt Bay Fire North Battalion:

The California Highway Patrol was requested to the scene to close the Indianola Cut-off from U.S. 101 to Myrtle Avenue. Prior to CHP's arrival, numerous vehicles drove over the water supply hose connecting the fire hydrant to the fire engine. This potentially endangered numerous firefighters that were inside of the structure fighting fire at the time.

HBF notes that it is, in fact, illegal to drive over a fire hose. Someone on the scene recorded the license numbers of the offending vehicles, and their owners could be cited.

Damages to the house might amount to $50,000. Here's the news release in full:

February 19, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Subject :
Residential Structure Fire at 155 T-Bone Lane, Eureka
Contact :
Battalion Chief Chris Emmons

On February 19th, 2013 at 6:58 A.M. two Humboldt Bay Fire personnel were driving in the area of Indianola Rd. and T-Bone Ln and noticed a large amount of smoke coming from behind a residence. Upon further investigation, a fire in an occupied single family residence was discovered. One bedroom of the residence had smoke and fire coming from the window. One firefighter made contact with two residents and ensured that all occupants had exited the structure while the other firefighter attempted to contain the fire to one room with a garden hose.

Simultaneously, a full structure fire response was requested with an additional automatic aid engine from Arcata Fire Protection District. The first arriving engine secured a water supply and attacked the fire. Other personnel ventilated the structure to assist with smoke removal and containing the fire to the room of origin. The fire was controlled within 10 minutes. While involved in extinguishing hot spots, firefighters found electrical sources that could not be secured. Pacific Gas and Electric was summoned to the scene and made the scene safe for firefighters by disconnecting the electrical source. Total damage estimates of the fire may approach $50,000. The cause remains under investigation.

One resident sustained a minor injury upon exiting the structure and City Ambulance was requested to the scene to evaluate the resident's injury. The resident declined further treatment. Representatives from the American Red Cross were requested to respond to the scene to aid in finding temporary lodging for the occupants.

The California Highway Patrol was requested to the scene to close the Indianola Cut-off from U.S. 101 to Myrtle Avenue. Prior to CHP's arrival, numerous vehicles drove over the water supply hose connecting the fire hydrant to the fire engine. This potentially endangered numerous firefighters that were inside of the structure fighting fire at the time. Humboldt Bay Fire is reminding drivers that it is illegal to drive over a fire hose and they may be cited by law enforcement. License numbers of the vehicles that drove over the hose were obtained and law enforcement will be notified.