ARSON SUSPECTED AFTER CARS SCORCHED IN LOT
Early Monday morning, Humboldt Bay Fire firefighters responded to a report of a large explosion and cars on fire in a fenced California Department of Fish and Wildlife parking lot in Old Town Eureka. It is initially suspected by HBF to be an act of arson, and is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol.
The call came in at 6:20 a.m. and multiple vehicles were found by firefighters to be on fire in the outdoor parking lot. Tuesday afternoon, six vehicles looked to be damaged in the lot due to fire, most with government plates.
Talia Flores, public information officer for Humboldt Bay Fire, said the fire initially started on one vehicle.
“The fire had damaged several other vehicles before the fire was controlled,” she said.
Humboldt Bay Fire personnel put out the fire within 10 minutes. A truck and second engine responded. No injuries were reported.
Flores said whether a vehicle explodes depends on the car, the situation and what's it in, but noted not every vehicle explodes when it catches fire.
“We tend to see a lot of vehicle fires after accidents or random acts, but we haven't seen a governmental agency any time recently,” said Flores when asked if she could remember a similar incident in recent years.
The parking lot is surrounded by a barbed wire fence. A CHP employee confirmed the investigation is ongoing and more details will be released soon.
An involved CHP officer was not available before the Times-Standard's print deadline for more information. EPD was gathering security footage of the lot Tuesday for CHP's investigation. A voicemail was left for the CDFW official who is handling media which was not returned before the TimesStandard print deadline.