[UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: Info from Blue Lake Fire] Images from Heartbreak: Today’s Fire in Blue Lake

Flames pouring from a Blue Lake home.

Flames pouring from a Blue Lake home. [Photo by Chad Frazel]

Redheaded Blackbelt reporter, Mark McKenna, was on the scene of a heartbreaking structure fire this morning, May 15, on Hartman Street in Blue Lake.

At one point, a Humboldt County Alert was issued an evacuation order for residents on Hartman Street and Blue Lake Boulevard. The evacuation order was lifted once fire personnel were able to get the fire under control.

The photos below, provided by Mark McKenna and Arcata Fire, show the devastation from the morning blaze.

huge flames and black smoke coming from a structure fire

Blue Lake residence fully engulfed [Photo provided by Arcata PIO Alyssa Alvarez]

 

bright orange flames envelope the skeleton of a structure. [Photo provided by Arcata PIO Alyssa Alvarez]

Bright orange flames envelope the skeleton of a structure. [Photo provided by Arcata PIO Alyssa Alvarez]

Bird house decorated fence remains standing as the rest of the residence is a total loss. [Photo by Mark McKenna]

Firefighters continue working hot spots after a devastating structure fire in Blue Lake [Photo by Mark McKenna]

UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: Blue Lake Fire sent us this press release with more information:

On May 15, 2023 at approximately 9:12am Blue Lake Fire Department was dispatched to a reported residential structure fire at the 500 block of Hartman Street. Initial reports stated there was a possible explosion at the residence. One Blue Lake Engine responded as well as the Blue Lake Chief. Upon arrival crews found a single story residential structure fully involved.

Firefighting operations established a defensive attack. It was determined that the “explosions” heard from the residence was the result of a large amount of ammunition present as scene. The Humboldt County Sherriff’s Office issued an evacuation order for the residents in the immediate area of Hartman and Blue Lake Boulevard. Fire personnel had the fire knocked down in approximately 35 minutes after the initial dispatch.

One dog was rescued from the structure, however, one dog and two cats were not accounted for at scene after firefighters looked through the home after the fire was controlled. Blue Lake’s Chief began to release mutual aid resources at approximately 11:00am; crews remained on scene for clean up until 12:30pm. The cause of the fire is still under investigation; at this time it is unclear as to what started the fire.

Blue Lake Fire would like to thank our allied partners for their assistance during this incident, Fieldbrook Fire, Arcata Fire, Humboldt Bay Fire, and West Haven Fire. We would also like to thank CHP, PG&E and HCSO.

Any further questions please call Captain Flores at 909-583-4746

 

UPDATE 5:05 p.m.: More images from Mark McKenna:

Firefighter inside a charred building. [Photo by Mark McKenna]

Firefighter inside a charred building. [Photo by Mark McKenna]

Spray of water inside a charred building. [Photo by Mark McKenna]

Spray of water i

Firefighter inside a charred building. [Photo by Mark McKenna]

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The Unpopular Opinion
Guest
The Unpopular Opinion
10 months ago

That is tragic. And unlike campfires or fireplace fires, a fire like this has no delightful after smell. No pleasant nostalgia. Just loss.

We all hope no humans or pets were harmed by the flames; but we know the losses will still be devastating.

Sparky
Guest
10 months ago

That is so sad ! Showing shots of a devastating residential structure fire is heart breaking like showing pictures of a dead being and media should probably show more respect to people who lost everything..

Also , by the looks of it Matt was prancing around perhaps sometimes in the way of the real professionals trying to save lives. Maybe just stick with a “stock photo”.

Thanks but no thanks!
🕯️🤍

Vet
Guest
Vet
10 months ago
Reply to  Sparky

Funny that you can talk about respect in one paragraph and then show complete disrespect in the next….

Melody
Guest
Melody
10 months ago
Reply to  Vet

Amen to that! 🤨👍

Melody
Guest
Melody
10 months ago
Reply to  Sparky

Boy, have you ever been told ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say, then why don’t you say nothing’ Stick to what you actually know!!!