No meteor found in debris of destroyed California home, officials say
By Jonathan Ayestas
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PENN VALLEY, California (KCRA) — Weeks after a Nevada County home was destroyed in a fire the same night of a meteor shower where some across Northern California spotted a fireball that lit up the sky, officials are saying whatever wrecked the property didn’t come from outside this world.
While the cause of the fire won’t be determined for weeks, Penn Valley Fire Captain Clayton Thomas said, “I can assure you, a meteor did not land in the area of origin for the fire you have asked about.”
The home, located near Lake Englebright, is a total loss. Dustin Procita said he was inside with his two dogs when he heard a big bang.
“I started to smell smoke. I went onto my porch, and it was completely engulfed in flames,” Procita said.
Witnesses came from all over the region following the path of the bright ball in the sky to see where it landed.
KCRA 3 has tried to reach out to Procita after receiving the updates from Penn Valley Fire but we have not heard back.
The Taurids Meteor shower happened the same night as the house caught fire: Nov. 4, but it also peaked the next day. Video shared on social media shows bright lights tumbling down the sky.
A spokesperson with NASA in a Nov. 8 email said the agency was not immediately aware of possible meteorites in the sky and recommended checking with local planetariums and observatories.
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