Arcata Fire District Releases Details on Estimated $18 Million Blaze That Destroyed Multiple Businesses
Flames as seen from 9th Street looking up the space between two buildings towards Northtown Books. [Photo by Mark McKenna]
On January 2, 2026, at approximately 2:30 p.m., while returning from a previous medical call, an Arcata Fire District engine company assigned to the downtown station observed a large amount of smoke coming from the downtown commercial district. The engine captain immediately requested a full commercial fire response and proceeded toward the source of the smoke.
The engine company arrived moments later in the 800 block of 10th Street and encountered a well-established, rapidly spreading fire in a large, two-story commercial structure with apartments above and businesses below. The fire had already spread laterally to multiple occupancies through concealed spaces within the interconnected structures.
As additional Arcata Fire District resources arrived, an offensive fire suppression strategy was implemented. Fire personnel prioritized the immediate evacuation of apartment residents while simultaneously attempting to gain control of the fire. Strong winds significantly accelerated fire growth through the older buildings. During operations, a natural gas manifold serving the structures was damaged, and firefighters were unable to shut down the gas supply. Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) was requested. Due to the proximity of the fire, PG&E crews were required to excavate at the intersection of 10th and H Streets and crimp the gas line to safely shut off service to the affected structures.
Multiple fire engines, ladder trucks, recalled off-duty personnel, and chief officers from agencies throughout Humboldt County were requested through the county mutual aid system. As additional resources arrived, command determined they would be deployed to prevent fire spread to surrounding city blocks, including the historic Minor Theater, which was experiencing direct heat, ember exposure, and smoke impingement due to strong southerly winds. Crews were assigned to rooftops in downwind areas to extinguish embers and suppress spot fires as they ignited.
As interior firefighting operations continued, conditions deteriorated and it became evident that the fire posed a significant life safety threat to personnel. Due to structural instability and collapse occurring in multiple locations, the decision was made to evacuate firefighters from the involved structures.
Fire apparatus were repositioned and defensive operations continued for several hours. Power and gas service to several downtown businesses were shut off to ensure operational safety. City of Arcata staff were requested to increase water flow to hydrants in the area, as master streams were placing heavy demand on the water system. As sections of the buildings collapsed into the street, two excavators were requested to open portions of the structures, allowing water streams to reach areas of free-burning fire.
As firefighters gained control of the incident, the American Red Cross responded to assist with the temporary housing needs of displaced apartment residents. There were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Arcata Fire District is working in coordination with the Humboldt County Fire-Arson Investigation Team. Anyone with information related to this fire is encouraged to contact the Arcata Fire District at (707) 825-2000.
Fire suppression resources responded from as far away as Weott in Southern Humboldt. Participating agencies included Arcata Fire District, Humboldt Bay Fire, Samoa Fire, Kneeland Fire, Westhaven Fire, Loleta Fire, Ferndale Fire, Fortuna Fire, Fieldbrook Fire, Blue Lake Fire, Rio Dell Fire, Arcata-Mad River Ambulance, CAL FIRE Trinidad, and CAL FIRE Weott. Every ladder truck in Humboldt County was deployed to this incident. Approximately 80 fire suppression personnel and an additional 20 support personnel were involved. Without the mutual aid support of our partner agencies, this fire could have spread across several city blocks and resulted in significant injuries and loss of life.
The Arcata Fire District also extends its appreciation to the City of Arcata Engineering, Building, Public Works, and Water Departments; Arcata Police Department; Arcata Fire District Volunteer Logistics Unit; Cal Poly Humboldt University Police Department; California Department of Fish and Wildlife; California Highway Patrol; Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office; Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office; Humboldt County Environmental Health Department; and the Humboldt County Chapter of the American Red Cross for providing traffic control, logistical support, and technical expertise throughout the incident.
Additionally, the Arcata Fire District thanks the citizens of Arcata for their assistance and continued support of the impacted business owners and residents. We recognize the profound impact this incident has had on lives and livelihoods, and we encourage the community to continue showing compassion and kindness toward those affected.
Preliminary damage assessments indicate that seven businesses, including associated apartments, were destroyed, and at least five additional businesses sustained heat, smoke, or water damage. Initial loss estimates are approximately $18 million; however, this figure may change as assessments continue.
The Arcata Fire District will release additional information as it becomes available. Thank you for your continued support
Earlier:
- Fully Involved Structure Fire at 823 10th Street in Arcata
- Wind-Driven Fire Destroys Multiple Downtown Arcata Buildings Nearly 25 Years After Previous Fire in the Same Area
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Are there any Arcata history people that know about when the burned buildings went up? One of the fire stories referred to them as hundred years old, but there are more than one building.
“During operations, a natural gas manifold serving the structures was damaged”.
That would indicate to me that gas was a factor of the fire and maybe not the cause.
Unless there is an eyewitness to the origin of the fire we may never know for sure what caused it. The destruction was so extensive that little evident will remain.
I think Steve meant “when the buildings were put up”, not “when the buildings went up in flames”.
Does anyone know how many people lived in the apartments that were lost?
It looks like most of them were built by 1908, and all of them were built by 1919.
Wow. Devastating and could have been so much worse. Thank you to all responders for your incredible efforts to save lives, quell the fire and protect the surrounding buildings.
LOL, another inside job insurance claim. Our area is famous for these.
Watch them already have loans, blueprints in mind for a completely new development. Dont expact this lot to sit empty very long.
Of the buildings that burned, there were at least three separate property owners. I doubt all three of them conspired on this.
Legacy infrastructure and a century of questionable decisions regarding construction and maintenance are all it takes.
That tragic fire only cost $18 million dollars. Considering what burned that cost seems a little low, but I wonder if that also includes all the first responders, their equipment, water usage, etc. Thank God that there were no deaths or serious injuries.
Martin, finally you and I agree! 18 million might not even cover engineering, permit fees, and government bureaucracy. Back in the 1800’s all you needed was a hammer and a saw and smart carpenter. (Maybe a slight exaggeration)
As someone who lives in a 1925 house added onto during the ’60s to ’80s the “smart” part was evidently optional. I tell people that the work was done with more beer and good intentions than expertise.
I assumed that the $18 mil was for the buildings and their contents. Putting it out and cleaning up the mess is an entirely different spreadsheet.
Thank you who risked all to keep this from being much worse!
I’m going to have to go beyond the appropriate laments for the businesses lost. I am sorry about all the love, energy, and dreams manifest in those buildings and businesses, gone in a few hours. It is very sad!
However, i’ve got questions. If when the firemen, one of whom discovered and called in the fire from a distance, arrived, the place was already pretty well engulfed– “The fire had already spread laterally to multiple occupancies through concealed spaces within the interconnected structures”– i have to wonder why nobody there had called 911. At first i thought maybe all the apartments housed employed tenants and nobody was home, mid-afternoon; but then the report is, “Fire personnel prioritized the immediate evacuation of apartment residents…” which suggests there were people at home. Seems very odd not to have noticed a fire that had spread through several units and whose smoke was visible to a distant driver.
Who knows; not everyone is a safety freak as i am. Maybe people were listening to loud music or cooking lunch and not noticing other smoky odors. Innocent, trusting young people who don’t worry about every little thing.
I suppose there are ways you could miss that your building was on fire.
Well, i’m sure many people have a lot of questions.
As to Northtown Books, i am beyond sad… don’t think i am quite ready to say i’m “irate” about it, because i don’t know enough about it. I will be interested to hear more from people who were on the scene. But i cannot see why a building to the south (lee side) of the fire, which looked to be untouched by flames when firefighters first arrived, was allowed to burn to the ground.
The arriving engine company couldn’t know if anyone was home. They were prioritizing life over property and made the decision to search and evacuate the second story apartments as that was the highest life safety concern. AFD only has two people on a fire engine. Only so much the first engine could do with a fast moving well established fire in an old building with lots of void spaces.
I saw it early on from 12th & K. I couldn’t tell if it was Python Castle but it looked like it. I admit I didn’t call 911 and should’ve. I was four blocks away and (wrongly?) assumed someone closer would report it. Sirens took a few more minutes to appear. 😢
Don’t beat yourself up. At this point it is all in the rear view and you can’t change the past.
The 10th street artist studio building was connected to the Dandar’s building – it was basically one L-shaped building. Back when Daisy Drygoods was in that space you could walk in the entrance on H Street, hang a right at the back of the store, and be in the storefront on 10th street.
All the buildings on that block were touching each other, sharing walls, or separated by *extremely narrow* enclosed walkways that were perfect places for fire to spread. Add to that leaking gas and there was no chance.
There are several fundraising efforts underway. Here’s 4 so far:
Northtown Books.
Dandar’s Boardgames and books
Humboldt Exchange/Vanilla Sky
Global Village Gallery
And the bear from the candy store needs a new home.
If it’s still there tomorrow, I just might. I can get her cleaned up.
There are also personal fundraisers for the tenants of that apartment complex. Here is the one I know of. They just moved in that morning and all their stuff was still in boxes.
gofund.me/980195c8b
For those interested, Lynette’s NorCal History Blog re-posted her entry on the Arcata plaza fire of 1899, and included a link to the history of the Seeley & Titlow building. https://lynette707.wordpress.com/2026/01/04/arcata-fire-of-1889/