[Update: Family Pets Perished & Missing] Two-Alarm Residential Fire on Elk River Court
A two-alarm structure fire has been reported around 8:30 a.m. on November 29.
Two Humboldt Bay engines are at a single-story family residence on the 7500 block of Elk River Court southeast of Eureka center.
The incident commander reported that they’re may not have enough 2″ hose to reach the residence.
An additional Type 1 engine has been requested from Loleta Fire and Blue Lake Fire. A water tender has been requested from Fortuna Fire.
There is a do not cross bridge due to weight limits. Fire personnel are instructed to walk their equipment/gear to the site.
Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.
Update 9:28 a.m.: Scanner traffic indicates that Red Cross is on scene to assist seven displaced occupants – two adults and five children.
Update 11:06 a.m.: The homeowner has reached out to us stating that the family’s three dogs, sadly, perished in the structure fire. The family is searching for their two cats that have yet to be located.
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That article really made me sad when I learned the dogs had perished in the fire. Nice that the Red Cross is there now and helping everyone in need. I wonder why the fire departments don’t know that some homes may require them to lay a long hose line, such as in this case. It might have made a small difference in putting the fire out. Homes like this one should be put on some type of fire map so they know extra hose and equipment might be needed. I praise the fireman for their hard work.
I found this comment on a facebook post regarding the incident. Evidently the fire dept is aware of it. Or should be:
“This litle community has always been a problem, ever since I went on the fire department in July of 1962. The bridge has been a constant do not cross situation and hand laying hose has always been a necessity a;olg with a tanker truck.”
Sawdust, thank you for the comment you found on Facebook. It is too bad that the bridge somehow could not replaced, but I am sure the cost would be out of sight. Even some timber (log) bridges out in the hills cost a fortune for the logs, cross timbers to drive on and the big nails or screws to hold the cross timbers in place. And all that requires a building permit from the county.
I’m sure it’s the covered bridge down there, and it’s a very special spot. I’ve delivered firewood down there and I’m sure the community is aware of the danger, and the trade off for having a beautiful bridge to drive across to get home. It’d probably be worthwhile for the community to purchase a big water tank for fire safety. As I remember it is an area with nice houses and they could likely afford it.
it’s not the covered bridge, it’s a little old wooden bridge that only fits one car at a time. I’m not sure if that part of the road is publicly or privately owned but it serves just that little neighborhood. This family isn’t rolling in dough.
They could put a new bridge next to these ones that is up to code if they want to keep them
That would be a major construction project and I doubt they could ever even get a permit for the kind of work that it entails, much less pay for it.
It was my son’s house that burnt, and it isn’t a covered bridge. It’s a private bridge on a private road. All the residents kick in to pay for things.
Please give them my heart felt sympathy. For both the loss of the prrs and the house.
Sorry for making an assumption.
Seems like there should be a building requirement that bridges to homes need to be able to be accommodate weight of a fire truck.
I can think of 2 other places with bridges that can’t accommodate a fire truck.
Here most likely is on places that are a recent development. But on single houses built decades ago, not so much.
Yes, the bridges should hold the weight of a fire truck, water tanker, etc., without question. I pray they can find a fairly easy solution such as a log bridge.
My heart breaks for this family. We lost our three cats in a house fire this year. Most things are replaceable but not our loved ones. May they find peace in the kindness of their community and comfort in the memories of their pets. If a gofundme is started I hope they share here. In it I recommend making a list of items needed if donations of money aren’t an option and drop off point.
At the moment they’re collecting clothing, that *should* be covered for now – of course there will be other needs going forward.
This is the GoFundMe organized by her sister:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/family-of-7-home-lost-to-a-fire
Thank you for posting link.
The mom of that family is a wonderful person who has helped out hundreds of local people and animals. This is a goddamned shame. Truly someone who deserves any help this community can give.
Whomever you are, thank you for your support. That is my son and his family, and we are all just heartbroken. This is an awful end to an awful month for that family.
Please extend my sentiments to your son & his family. I am very sorry for his losses. I hope the cats are found.
Just drive over it. Who cares
Your comment is way out of line. I am sure you are aware of the weight of the fire trucks and water tenders. Those big trucks would take the bridge out in the blink of an eye and drop the equipment and firemen into the river. A heavy-duty bridge is in order if the folks can swing the price. Maybe some kindhearted construction company or logger could help and reduce the cost.
Most of the residents out that way have water trucked in because the logging has poisoned the water table. 30k lbs water trucks drive that bridge regularly with zero issues.
A fire engine can’t do any good if it has fallen into a creek and gotten stuck there. The bridge can’t support that kind of weight and if a fire engine drove over it and collapsed it, not only would it be unable to fight the fire, it would be blocking the only way in or out of the neighborhood. You think they made it a “do not cross” bridge just for funsies?