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September 14, 2011     Indian Valley Record
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September 14, 2011
 
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Indian Valley Record Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011 7A Woman charged in Portola fire has record Dan McDonald Staff Writer dmcdonald@plumasnews.com The woman arrested on ag- gravated arson charges after three Portola homes were de- stroyed by fire Sept. 1 could face more than 30 years in prison. Hana Saeko Nay, 45, faces felony arson charges with en- hancements for burning mul- tiple structures. She is also charged with be- ing a felon in possession of a firearm as well as vandalism. If convicted of the charges, any potential sentence could be doubled because Nay has a strike against her for a previ- ous felony conviction. Nay was sentenced to 16 months in prison in 2006 for negligent discharge of a firearm. Arson "is an exceptionally serious crime," Plumas Coun- ty District Attorney David Hollister said. "It endangered not just the three people in the immediate area, but our emer- gency responders as well." Nay is also being investigat- ed for an Aug. 24 incident of driving under the influence and possession of metham- phetamine. According the 911 call log for Sept. 1, Nay was reported to have made suicidal state- ments. She also stated that she was "torching the place." Three adults, including Nay's 19-year-old daughter Katie Nay, were reportedly in the residence at 65 West Mag- nolia when the fire was started. All three escaped without injury. However, some of the 50 firefighting personnel at the scene were treated for smoke inhalation, according to Beck- wourth Fire Chief Greg Mc- Caffrey. McCaffrey was the incident commander of the firefighting operations that included men and vehicles from Portola, Eastern Plumas, Plumas Eu- reka, Sierra Valley, Quincy and the U.S. Forest Service. McCaffrey said 28 vehicles, including 10 engines, were dispatched. The California Highway Pa- trol and-the Plumas County Sheriff's Office were on the scene with six officers. "I do want to thank all of the firefighters and all of the citi- zens who helped contain the fire," said Plumas County Su- pervisor Terry Swofford, whose home and business was threat- ened by the fire. "It really could have been much worse." McCaffrey said the blaze was under control in less than an hour and was extinguished in two hours. The fire also destroyed the homes at 480 Ridge Street and 460 Ridge Street. Helping the victims Portola businesses have been holding fundraisers to help people whose homes were destroyed. On Thursday, Sept. 15, there will be a dinner fundraiser from 4:30 to 9 p.m. at Lena's Cantina in Portola. Three dollars from each plate and all tips will be do- nated to the fire victims. Donations are also being collected at the Pizza Factory in Portola, where Katie Nay, who reportedly lost all of her possessions in the fire, is an employee. The Bank Club in Portola has also set up a donation jar for Katie Nay. On Sept. 7, there was a fundraiser dinner at Sharon's Cafe in Portola. Katie Nay said she has been overwhelmed by the support she has received from the community. ,'I'm very grateful, and I want to thank everyone in Portola for all of the help and support I've received," Katie Nay said. Accounts for Katie Nay and Carol Holland have been es- tablished at Plumas Bank. Holland lost all of her pos- sessions in her Ridge Street home. Any teller at the bank is available to assist people with donations. People can also donate by calling the bank at 832-4405, and asking for Rachelle Ramelli at ext. 1201. Historic WP Hospital destroyed in separate fire Diana Jorgenson Staff Writer djorgenson@plumasnews.com "Volunteer Fire Department and Eastern Plumas Rural Fire Protection District joined Portola in fighting the fire that encompassed all three structures comprising the old hospital. Firefighting went on well into the following morning as heavy equipment was brought in to clear floor- boards away from fire hidden beneath. The Feather River Rail Society and the Western Pa- cific Railroad Museum of Por- tola, the owners of the proper- ty, are offering a $1,000 re- ward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsi- ble for the blaze. Frank Brehm, Feather Riv- er Rail Society director and fire marshal, made an official statement on their behalf: The old Western Pacific Hospital burned to the ground last Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 1:30 a.m. Incident Commander Travis Schiavone, fire chief for the Portola Volunteer Fire Depart- ment, deems the building a complete loss. Beckwourth The original hospital section shows the most severe burn damage, although all three buildings were destroyed beyond repair. The wings,to each side housed a women's ward and men's ward, respectively. Photo by Diana Jorgenson "The Feather River Rail Society suffered a huge loss on the morning of Sept. 7 when the fire department was called for a fire at the old WP Itos- pital site in Portola. Upon ar- rival of the first respondigg units they found the strm- ture fully involved in fire. Although efforts were madp to save sonic ol the stru('.tur( these efforts were in vai The building is now a deva tating loss. "The cause of the blaze is suspected arson and an active investigation is ongoing There will be no further de- tails released until the inves- tigation is completed. There are no suspects for this tragic act at this time. "If you have any informa- tion please contact the Plumas County Sheriff's l)e- partment at 283-6375 or Cal- Fire Investigator John Berglund at 257-7360." The Feather River Rail So- ciety had included the old hospital structures in future expansion plans for the muse- um. The building was be- lieved to be one of the last re- maining railroad hospitals iH the United States and its historic preservation was of concern to the society. Norman Holmes, one of the charter members of the rail , :ciety, expressed his sense of oss: "It's a sad loss. We worked hard to preserve some history and it didn't work out. We never had the wherewith- l to do anything with it." David ElJling, manager tor the museum, said that not only was the loss of the building devastating, the cleanup after the fire was costing more money than the society had available. The so- ciety would appreciate the community's financial help with debris removal. Call 832-4131 to lend a hand. Fire plagues Portola Diana Jorgenson Staff Writer djorgenson@plumasnews.corn Portola has been plagued with fires these past two weeks, fires set by ',:umans, whether intentionally t,," by accident. The old Western Pacific Hospital burned to the ground last Wednesday at 1 a.m. and the following morn- ing, at about the same time, another fire was spotted in a small grove of five or six trees below Feather River Middle School and along the fence at the electrical substation on Gulling Street. The patrolling Plumas Coun- ty deputy spotted the fire, and the Portola Fire Department put it out before it could get out of hand and spread to the vacated school building or the electrical station. The Plumas County Sher iff's Office has advised res, dents to keep an eye out for suspicious people or cir- cumstances. If needed, cali 283-6363, a hotline for anonymous tips. Anyone with informatim regarding the two fires al- ready under investigation is also asked to call. communities - on6 ber0000¢ CQli{orniu for all 0i us.