Arcata Fire District: Fire on the Square Ruled Undetermined, No Evidence of Arson
Flames light up an excavator demolishing a still burning building as the fire earlier this month wound down. [Photo by Mark McKenna]
The Arcata Fire District, in coordination with the Arcata Police Department, has completed a joint investigation into the origin and cause of the Fire on the Square incident involving properties near 10th and H Streets.
Based on the investigation, there is no evidence that the fire was intentionally set, and no foul play has been identified. Investigators identified several possible ignition sources within the area of origin; however, none could be conclusively confirmed. As a result, the fire has been classified as “Undetermined” in accordance with nationally accepted fire investigation standards. The case will remain open, and the affected properties will be released back to the property owners.
An “Undetermined” classification means that the available information does not clearly indicate a single cause. It reflects the responsibility of investigators to avoid speculation when evidence does not support a definitive conclusion.
The Arcata Fire District conducted the fire origin and cause investigation, which included examining fire damage, reviewing scene conditions, and evaluating potential ignition sources.
The Arcata Police Department assisted the investigation by conducting witness interviews and reviewing available video footage to help establish a timeline of events. If new credible information becomes available, it will be reviewed using established investigative practices.
The Arcata Fire District and Arcata Police Department remain committed to public safety, fire prevention, and providing accurate information to the community.
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
- Arcata Fire District Releases Details on Estimated $18 Million Blaze That Destroyed Multiple Businesses
- Sheriff Honsal and The City of Arcata Declare Local Emergencies Due to Impacts from Friday’s $18 Million Fire
- GoFundMe Fundraisers Launched for Arcata Fire Victims
- County Seeks State Help After Arcata Fire Sends Contaminated Runoff Into Water Systems
- Arcata Fire Relief Grows, With Verified GoFundMe Campaigns Raising More Than $156,000
- Humboldt Made Launches Arcata Fire Relief Fund Following $50,000 Commitment from PG&E Corporation Foundation
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So the info here is that if its burnt good enough it doesn’t matter cuz they can’t speculate?
It being indeterminate is more likely due to the demolition they had to do during the fire to protect neighboring buildings. Saw that happen when I was in the Santa Cruz mountains. Part of the Brookdale Lodge burned to the ground. Fire investigators narrowed the source to the room of a person who had been fired as an employee the morning of the fire. But no official determination was made as to fault as the building had been demolished during the fire to save the rest of the Lodge, despite there apparently being clear motive.
Old buildings, old wood, old electrical wiring, old has pipes, old stuff, etc etc.
That could be an additional sight for the Farmer’s Market.
Why would the farmers market want to look look at a pile of burned rubble?
Sure! For the 10 years it will take between the cleanup and the new building permits to get approved! lol. Maybe open air flea market full of trinkets and overpriced cart food- just like Ashby
You’re on the right track, but not thinking about equity quite enough. It should be an open air market for local thieves to sell the items they’ve shoplifted or burgled.
That is redundant. The city of Eureka is the open air market for local thieves to sell the items they’ve shoplifted or burgled.
Ah, the Arcata Police Department.
That bastion of lazy incompetent self-important fools that siphons off taxpayer money decade after decade after decade after decade.
Humboldt County Fire-Arson Investigation Team is the body responsible for the finding, not just the APD. They are made up of many folks the main guy for arcata fire is Ed Laidlaw, he is not Arcata Police. The press release is from arcata fire.
Why do they call it the Fire on the Square? Is this a different one from the one on the block northwest of the plaza?