Downtown Apartment Fire Displaces Residents

By edhat staff

Santa Barbara City Firefighters responded to an early morning fire at an apartment in the first block of W. Arrellaga Street Thursday.

Fire crews were on the scene at 5:25 a.m. for a reported chimney fire at 26 W. Arrellaga Street. Upon arrival, crews had smoke showing from a second-story apartment at that location. It was quickly determined that it was not a chimney fire.

Immediately after arrival, the front window of the apartment blew out resulting in heavy fire coming from the unit. An aggressive coordinated fire attack was made and the fire was controlled within 15 minutes.

Two residents were inside the apartment at the time of the fire. One resident was awake and alerted to a smell of smoke. Upon entering the bedroom, the smoke detector activated. The second occupant was awoken and both residents exited the apartment without injury.

One downstairs unit sustained water damage and there was heavy smoke damage to the upstairs walkway and common overhang.

The City Fire Department responded with three engine companies, one truck company, one battalion chief, and one air and lighting unit.

The Red Cross is assisting the displaced occupants.

The cause of the fire was determined to be a malfunctioning wall heater. Damage is estimated at $250,000.