Ukiah Police Release More Information on Last Week’s Residential Structure Fire and Arson Investigation

On 12/04/2021 at about 6:40 PM, Ukiah PD Officers responded to a residence located at 150 Gibson St. for a report of a structure fire. On arrival Officers and Firefighters observed that a first-floor bedroom was actively burning and the house had filled with smoke. The residents had safely evacuated themselves from the structure. 

 Officers learned that the residence was a group home for adults administrated by Redwood  Communty Services. One of the residents, identified as Travis Humphrey, had been seen watching the fire from outside the residence at the onset and had reportedly fled as responders were arriving. The room where the fire had originated was Humphrey’s. Humphrey had made earlier suspicious statements to an employee causing them to suspect Humphrey may have purposely started the fire. A UVFA Arson Investigator at the scene determined the cause of the fire to be arson. The Arson Investigator also located evidence consistent with the use of an accelerant at the origin point of the fire.  

 While Officers were at the scene they received a call regarding a suspicious subject on the second-floor deck of a closed nearby business. Officers responded and located Humphrey. Additional evidence was located further connecting Humprey to the cause of the fire. Humphrey was detained and ultimately placed under arrest for Arson (451 (b) PC), Arson During a State of Emergency (454) (a) PC (Due to the States ongoing  Covid emergency decleration), and Violation of Probation (1203.2 (a) PC).  

Humphrey was transported to the MCSO Jail where he was held on $102,500.00 bail.