Elderly Man Rescued from Apartment Fire in Isla Vista

A swift response from neighbors and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department prevented a potential tragedy after a fire broke out in an Isla Vista apartment complex on Sunday evening.

Authorities were alerted to a structure fire at approximately 8:52 p.m. in the 6500 block of Segovia Road. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that the blaze had commenced on the second floor of the complex when an elderly man’s blanket, which had a lit cigarette on it, caught fire.

Thanks to a functional fire alarm, neighbors were immediately aware of the danger. Before the arrival of the fire department, quick-thinking residents utilized a water hose to control the flames and proceeded to help the elderly gentleman out of his apartment, a move that, while successful, was noted by officials as being incredibly risky.

Firefighters quickly took over the scene upon their arrival, extinguishing the remainder of the fire within minutes and assisting the man down to the first floor. Fire medics provided immediate treatment before he was transported by ground ambulance to a nearby hospital for further care.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department, University of California Police Department, and Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office were all present at the scene, ensuring the safety of the residents and managing the aftermath of the fire.

The condition of the man has not been disclosed. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of smoking indoors and the importance of being vigilant with fire safety measures in residential settings.

Fire medics began treatment before he was transported by ground ambulance to a hospital. SBC Fire, UCPD, and SBC Sheriff’s Office were on scene. All resources returned available. CT 8:52 pm pic.twitter.com/SkvriDnrFR

— PIO (@PIOSBCFireInfo) August 12, 2024