Bathrooms Set on Fire at Goleta’s Girsh Park

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reports two bathrooms at Girsh Park in Goleta were intentionally set on fire on Thursday.

At 2:39 p.m., firefighters responded to the park at 7050 Phelps Road to the bathrooms next to the baseball and softball diamonds.

There were two separate fires in the restrooms, reports Captain Scott Safechuck.

Both were safely extinguished by 2:48 p.m. The incident is being investigated as arson.

In addition to the fire, a suspicious package was located on the scene prompting the Sheriff’s Bomb Squad to report to the scene.

Phelps Road between Pacific Oaks and Mills was temporarily closed while the investigation took place.

The crew discovered the suspicious package was determined to be medical equipment left behind by a security company. The area was reopened and declared safe.

The Sheriff’s Office noted the fire in the bathroom and the package investigation were not related, although in the same vicinity.

[Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with information from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office]