Last night’s structure fire in Hopland has left a home in the midst of being restored by its new owner with major damage.
Hopland Fire Chief Mitch Franklin told us dispatch learned of the incident after a neighbor reported the structure was on fire. Hopland Fire and CAL FIRE were dispatched arriving around 11:40 p.m. Upon arrival, approximately one-third of the home was actively consumed with flames
Mutual aid was requested from Ukiah Valley Fire Authority, Potter Valley Fire Department, and the Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire Department. These extra resources were canceled before their arrival as firefighters gained control of the flames.
Chief Franklin told us the fire burned rapidly because the home was in the process of a major remodel. There was no sheetrock and aged redwood siding provided potent fuel for the flames.
The home is well-known in the Hopland community. It was on the market for years and seemingly on the on the verge of being condemned. Finally, a new owner bought the home and embarked on a complete overhaul of the building, installing a new roof, fencing and gutting it to start fresh.
Chief Franklin said crews were on scene for several hours last night investigating the cause of the fire. Ukiah Valley Fire Authority’s arson investigator was on scene. At this point, the cause is still under “active investigation”.
Chief Franklin applauded the neighbors for their watchful eye and contacting emergency services as soon as they noticed the flames.
Countless Mendocino County residents rely on the swift action of our volunteer fire departments during fires, medical emergencies, traffic accidents, and more. They do that work with minimal funding. To support the essential work of the Hopland Fire Protection District, make out a check to them at PO Box 463, Hopland, California, 95449.
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Sounds like an insurance scam. That house was a teardown from the beginning.