Press release from the Arcata Fire Department:
On Wednesday, June 12th at 6:30pm, three Arcata Fire Department fire engines were dispatched to a commercial structure fire in the 1500 block of Nursery Way. The first arriving fire engines found faint smoke coming from the commercial structure. Firefighters entered the structure and found the fire to be out. Smoke was present throughout the structure. At that point, the assigned firefighter discontinued all additional fire units that had been dispatched and began ventilating the structure.
A nearby business owner notified firefighters that they had entered the business where the fire had started and extinguished the burning lithium-ion batteries.
Damage from the fire was limited to electric bike parts and tables inside the store, with light smoke damage throughout the retail space.
The cause of the fire was determined to be a malfunction of the battery of an electric bicycle that had been left charging.
Arcata Fire would like to thank Surfside Ships resident Andrew Jordan for his actions that likely saved the entire building and its contents. We would also like to remind the public to always charge their fire extinguishers annually and after each use. Also, be careful when charging lithium-ion batteries and never leave them unattended while charging.
