Photo of the scene provided by Crescent City Fire and Rescue.

Crescent City Fire and Rescue press release:

On Monday at approximately 7:23 p.m. Crescent City Fire & Rescue was dispatched to the 100 block of Leif Circle for a structure fire.

Upon dispatch, Pelican Bay State Prison Fire Department was requested mutual aid. One volunteer Battalion Chief reported flames visible while in route to the scene. Dispatch provided information that the correct address was 135 Leif Circle, and the occupant had escaped the home with her dogs.

The first arriving unit from Crescent City Fire & Rescue (CCFR) found the primary residence well involved and the fire had begun extending into the structure on the South side exposure. Hose lines were pulled, and crews began an exterior attack on a large porch area and the neighboring home wall to knock down fire. A 5-gallon propane tank added to the fire as it vented its contents into the covered porch and house. Crews also worked to keep fire away from an approximately 125-gallon heating fuel oil tank that flames were pouring over.

The second arriving unit attached a large supply line to the hydrant at the entrance to Leif Circle and to the first pumping engine. Pelican Bay arrived and assisted. Additional lines were pulled and supported crews who made a fire attack on the interior of the structure. Heavy fire was found in the attic space and rear bedroom areas. The structure was also searched to confirm no other occupants had been inside. Fort Dick Volunteer Fire Department was requested mutual aid to assist by providing coverage to the greater Crescent City area. Crews had fire knock down at approximately 8:15 p.m., and remained on scene for overhaul to makes sure all fire was extinguished until approximately 10:45 p.m.

Red Cross was notified to assist with housing for the occupants of the primary and exposure structure. No injuries were sustained by the occupant or neighbors. A total of 19 Crescent City Fire & Rescue volunteers and five members of the Pelican Bay State Prison Fire Department fought the fire. One Crescent City Fire & Rescue member was transported to Sutter Coast Hospital by Del Norte Ambulance and evaluated and treated for possible smoke inhalation and was released a short time later while units were still on scene. The primary residence was heavily damaged by fire. The residence to the South suffered exterior damage, and damage from fire and smoke to its interior carport area, with smoke into the living area.

Crescent City Fire & Rescue would like to thank Pelican Bay State Prison Fire Department, Fort Dick Volunteer Fire Department, Red Cross, Pacific Power & Light, Del Norte Ambulance, and Del Norte County Dispatch for their assistance on this fire.

After preliminary investigation, it appeared the fire started in the exterior covered porch area near the controls for a hot tub, based upon fire damage patterns and fire spread into the structure. The cause appears accidental.

In the case on tonight’s fire, the occupant’s dogs alerted her to the fire in the exterior porch area. Crescent City Fire & Rescue would like to remind our community that smoke detectors that are properly installed and maintained will help alert occupants to rapidly spreading smoke and give you time to get out. Because this fire burned on the exterior of the home first, the smoke alarms didn’t immediately activate. This fire also illustrates the importance of having two ways out, as the primary way out became blocked very early in the fire.

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