Carpinteria Structure Fire
updated: Nov 09, 2012, 8:13 AM

By the Urban Hikers

At about 2:20 am on Friday morning, Carpinteria/Summerland Fire received a call about a house on fire on Delta Ave. Residents of the house had been awakened by the crackling noise of a fire. Upon investigation, the residents found that the garage in flames. The family, consisting of parents, son and a dog, made it out of the house unharmed.

Firefighters found the garage fully involved in flames when they arrived. The fire was burning incredibly hot, scorching the lawn all the way to the sidewalk and burning a van in the driveway. The fire also extended into the attic of the home. Fire crews were able to contain and extinguish the attic fire with minimal fire damage to the house. The home did suffer water and smoke damage, however. The roof of the garage was completely destroyed and the contents of the garage were a total loss. Thankfully no injuries were reported.

Assisting Carpinteria Fire were firefighters from Montecito Fire Department and Ventura County Fire Department. Santa Barbara Fire was also called out but they were not required for the suppression efforts. Santa Barbara Fire did however reposition an engine to Montecito's main station to cover Montecito while both Montecito engines were deployed in Carpinteria.

Approximately fifteen firefighters lead by three chief officers fought the fire. Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department provided traffic control at the scene.

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Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 340900	2012-11-09 08:24 AM
I'm beginning to wonder if the urban hikers are benign ambulance chasers? They sure seem to pop up at the right place and the right time.
SBSURFERLIFE	2012-11-09 08:30 AM
They're more journalists than ambulance chasers. If this was posted on the Independent would you say the same? Doubt it.
COMMENT 340911P	2012-11-09 08:45 AM
I'm so happy this family escaped without injury, and that they didn't lose more. Thank you firefighters!
COMMENT 340915	2012-11-09 08:51 AM
I think the Urban Hikers is a network of citizen photojournalists - either that or only one person with a magic carpet. Since the only other person in town consistently covering breaking news is Roger, I'm grateful that they send in their reports and provide me with information. Thanks UH, thanks Edhat and of course, thanks Roger.
COMMENT 340924	2012-11-09 09:11 AM
great job urban hikers! Seems like a lot of chiefs for just a garage / house fire... just sayin
COMMENT 340926	2012-11-09 09:19 AM
@900 I've always thought the same. At the very least, these post should be titled citizen reports, since there's no way they are hiking to opposite ends of the town to put people's private tragedies on film for all of us to rubberneck.
COMMENT 340999P	2012-11-09 11:18 AM
I wish they were Urban Bikers.
COMMENT 341134	2012-11-09 05:35 PM
I'm just wondering why it took "3 Chief Officers" to lead 15 firefighters. Am I missing something???
COMMENT 341160	2012-11-09 07:57 PM
134, I agree that's the problem in a nutshell. Three chiefs for 15 firefighters. Ridiculous.
COMMENT 341182P	2012-11-09 10:02 PM
I love the "Monday morning quarterbacking". Let me say as a non-fireman, I'm damn impressed that they were able to keep the residence from burning, especially since the mini van in the driveway burned. As far as the number of chief officers that were present, they are paid a salary whether they are working or not. Also, the "extra" chief present was the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Chief. Last time I checked, he is salaried. And he showed up to join the effort at 2:20 in the morning. He didn't have to do that. How many people do you know who show up to work at 2:20 in the morning for a hazzardous job when they don't have to? And you're complaining about what?
RESIDENT	2012-11-10 08:31 AM
How do the Urban Hikers learn about a fire such as this at 2:20 AM? They must sleep with a fire department scanner going next to their bed.... I know I couldn't do that. My scanner makes too much noise to get any sleep. :-)
COMMENT 341241	2012-11-10 08:43 AM
These guys live for fires... they get to put out a structure fire 1x a month, maybe, Of course they're going to go the fire and they're going to be excited and they're going to learn and they're going to teach... that's why they're firefighters... they didnt go into to profession to drive old people to the hospital or check for gas leaks...
ROGER DODGER	2012-11-11 12:44 PM
The Urban Hikers do not sleep they are ready to respond 24/7 365 days a year..!

46% of comments on this page were made by Edhat Community Members.