Vehicle Fire at MasterCraft Motors Injures One

Update by Santa Barbara City Fire Department

May 4, 2019

Vehicle Fire With Burn Victim

At approximately 8 p.m. May 2, 2019 the Santa Barbara City Fire Department responded to what originally was received as a medical emergency at 502 Olive Street. The call was upgraded to a structure fire while in route. When Engine 3 arrived on scene they discovered a fully involved vehicle fire with direct flame impingement against the adjacent building front fascia/roof area at 435 E. Haley Street. This upgrade included two additional engines, a ladder truck and a battalion chief.

Firefighters quickly knocked down the vehicle fire and were able to suppress the fire to the building and check for any extension. During suppression activities, it was determined there was a male burn victim being attended to by neighbors. The victim was treated by firefighters and AMR personnel and transported to Cottage Hospital with burns to the upper torso area, arms, hands, and face area. The burn victim was later transported to a burn center in Southern California.

The fire appears to have originated in the rear interior compartment area of a Jeep Cherokee. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the cause. This fire is classified as accidental. The damage to the building is estimated at approximately $20,000 and the vehicle is a total loss.

Update by edhat staff

May 2, 2019

A vehicle fire with possible explosions took place at Mastercraft Motors on E. Haley Street Thursday evening injuring one man.

Around 8:00 p.m. Thursday, edhat readers began reporting smoke, fire, and sounds of explosions in the downtown area of Santa Barbara.

Mastercraft Motors, located at 435 E. Haley Street, was then reported to be fully engulfed in flames. The business offers autobody services and repairs.

An edhat reader captured a photo on the scene of a vehicle that caught fire on Mastercraft Motors property.

KEYT is reporting the vehicle caught fire that extended to the structure’s roof. According to witnesses, a man ran out of the building while on fire and a neighbor helped put him out. He sustained moderate burns to the chest area.

The exact cause of the fire is unknown at this time.