RESIDENTS DISPLACED AFTER BLUE HERON HOTEL FIRE

Eureka, CA- Fire destroys the Blue Heron Hotel on Broadway in Eureka this morning. Smoke from the blaze flooded Highway 101 during morning rush hour and residents are upset that they’ve all been displaced. 

After police contain the fire and clear the building, they detain and question a man that at the time was a person of interest. Investigators say the man that was detained earlier has been released and at this time he is not a suspect.

Inside this large utility closet is where investigators say the fire began. The room houses the electrical unit for the entire building. Around 8 am, the on-story hotel that’s been converted into housing units was on fire.

Within 10 minutes, firefighters had what they described as a hot and intense fire under control.

Broadway street was backed up for a couple of hours as fire trucks filled the north bound lanes.

This fire is still under investigation. Residents have been provided temporary housing. The damage done is estimated at about $40,000.