Goleta Fire Displaces Nineteen

KEYT (Video)

Nineteen people are displaced after a fire at a Goleta apartment complex. Santa Barbara County Fire was called to the 400 block of Linfield Place just before 1pm this afternoon.

Crews were able to quickly knock down the flames in the two alarm blaze. Fortunately there were no injuries but there were frightening moments for those who live near by.

Four people live in the apartment where the fire originated. An electrician is trying to restore power to the adjoining units that would enable the remaining fifteen people to return to their homes. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Red Cross is offering assistance to those displaced by the fire.

KEY News Reporter Michelle Cole has the story.

---
SB Independent
By Chris Meagher
Thursday, June 14, 2007

Twenty-seven firefighters responded to a fire which devastated an apartment in Goleta Thursday, leaving up to 19 complex residents possibly displaced for the night. Santa Barbara County fire officials are investigating the cause of the fire, which occurred around 12:35 p.m. Thursday at a six-unit apartment complex at 449 Lindfield [sic] Place.

A woman and a boy were in the apartment of origin when fire alarms sounded. The two were able to make it out safely, according to Capt. Eli Iskow. Responding firefighters — six engine companies and one truck companies’ worth — were able to douse the fire down quickly, containing the fire to the one apartment.

Other apartments in the complex suffered smoke damage, and depending on whether or not the electrical system can be rerouted, 19 people may have to sleep somewhere else Thursday night. The occupants of the original apartment and the one above are displaced. The Red Cross is assisting those who need help.

---
KCOY (Video)

GOLETA - 19 people are without a home Thursday night after a fire broke out an apartment building.

Firefighters say the fire started around noon at the complex in Goleta.

The fire broke out at the bottom unit.

There are six units in the whole building where eight adults and 11 children lived.

Firefighters responded quickly, so the fire damage was contained to the one unit, but the smoke from the fire affected the entire building.

Most of the neighbors will be allowed to return in the next few days, but one single mother and her children who live in the unit where the fire broke out won't be able to come home for awhile.

She was home with one kid at the time of the fire while her other two children were at school.

Some neighbors from the building and around the block were home and called 9-1-1 when they smelled the smoke.

As of now the cause of the fire is under investigation, but the woman tells us that it was most likely electrical.