Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Releases Information on Suspicious Fires in Hoopa

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department at the burned classrooms. [All photos by Angela McLaughlin]

On 4-17-17 at about 4:15 am Hoopa Tribal Police reported a suspicious fire with three buildings involved, behind Hoopa High School on Loop Rd. in Hoopa. Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the scene and discovered the three buildings fully engulfed in flames. Hoopa Volunteer and Willow Creek Volunteer Fire Departments were on scene battling the blaze. The fire completely destroyed the Hoopa High School auto shop, wood shop and band room.

At approximately 10:00 am Hoopa Fire then responded to the Hoopa Tribal Fisheries Building to a report of a smell of smoke in the building. The Fisheries building is located about 300yards from the scene of the original Hoopa High School fire. An investigation revealed that a fire had started under the crawl space of the building. The fire self-extinguished and only minor damage occurred to the building.

Members of the Humboldt County Arson Task Force responded to both scenes and determined the fire at the Hoopa Tribal Fisheries building was an intentional act of arson. Arson Investigators are still investigation the Hoopa High School fire and have narrowed the origin of fire. The fire is considered suspicious, however has not been determined as arson at this time. There are no known suspects or reports of injuries at this time.

Anyone with information in regards to these incidents is encouraged to call the Sheriff’ Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

Another view of the burned classrooms.