Two Dumpster Fires on Halloween Night in Arcata

ARCATA, CA- November 1, 2010- Firefighters responded to two fires on
Halloween night. The first fire occurred around 12:04 a.m. in the trash
storage area of the Super 8 Motel in Valley West. Firefighters arrived
and found a dumpster burning inside the trash enclosure. One engine
handled the fire and kept the blaze from spreading to surrounding
materials. The second fire occurred at around 1:20 a.m. at an apartment
complex in the 2700 block of L.K.Wood Boulevard and caused extensive
damage to a building used to house recycling containers at the complex.
Two cars were also damaged by the radiant heat from the fire. Quick
action by firefighters kept the fire from spreading to a large building
located a few feet away.

Investigators will be looking through records to see if any earlier
fires fit the same pattern and could be related to the recent series of
fires. Fire and police officials are looking for an adult male subject,
wearing brown-colored coveralls who was seen riding a skateboard from
the area of the fire at Super 8 shortly before the fire was discovered.
Anyone with information should contact the Arcata Police Department.

Residents and business owners are encouraged to keep trash and recycling
bins emptied as often as possible and locked to limit access. Also, all
trash containers 1.5 cubic yards or larger must be at least 5 feet away
from combustible walls and openings.