A fire destroyed the Hoopa Housing Authority building in California this morning. Photo from Two Rivers Tribune / FacebookAuthorities in northern California are investigating a fire that struck the Hoopa Valley Tribe this morning. The fire destroyed the building of the Hoopa Housing Authority. Chairwoman Danielle Vigil-Masten said it would cause a disruption in services. “This is very disheartening news for our tribe and community. It’s a major set-back for projects we are working on, and may delay tribal members receiving homes," Vigil-Masten said in a press release.
Fire crews contain the blaze at the Hoopa Housing Authority. Photo from HVT via The Lost Coast Outpost
Last year, the tribe saw a large number of human-caused fires. No charges, however, appear to have ever been filed in connection with any of the cases even though some suspects were identified. The latest incident comes just a week after Police Chief Robert Kane abruptly quit his job on the reservation. Tribal leaders met with local officials in hopes of securing a cross-deputization agreement. Council member Ryan Jackson is holding an emergency meeting this evening to discuss the law enforcement issue and indicated the fire could be a topic on the agenda.
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