A large fire engulfed a three-story abandoned building at the intersection of Molly Street and First Street in Solvang early Friday morning.
The incident, initially declared a second alarm structure fire at 5:29 a.m., was later upgraded to a third alarm, prompting a strike team response from the Operational Area.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department officials reported that the blaze was contained to the footprint of the involved building after heavy firefighting efforts. Knockdown was achieved at 7:19 a.m., transitioning the operation to investigation, overhaul, and mop-up of smoldering hot spots. Heavy construction equipment was brought in to address areas of collapse potential within the structure.
The fire prompted the evacuation of buildings within a one-block radius and adjacent roads were closed. While the evacuation order has been lifted and repopulation efforts are underway, several SBC Fire engines will remain on scene for extended operations. Sheriff’s deputies are assisting with road closures near the fire ground.
Officials emphasized that the affected area is isolated, allowing Solvang’s broader commercial and tourism activities to continue uninterrupted. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Santa Barbara County Fire received assistance from Santa Maria Fire, Montecito Fire, Santa Barbara City Fire, Los Padres Fire, and Vandenberg Fire Departments.
This story will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
#MollyInc Update: Knockdown at 7:19am. pic.twitter.com/h7gpEwz7uM
— Scott Safechuck (@SBCFireInfo) May 2, 2025
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The building has a complex background:
“The damaged building appears to be part of the “water wheel building” property, which is the subject of a lawsuit between a developer and the city of Solvang over a proposed hotel project for the site.
South Coast Property Company 13-B LP sued the city in 2022. The complaint alleged city staff had assured them that a development plan to demolish a building and construct a boutique hotel was valid, but later said the plan and permits had expired. Attorneys for the city denied the allegations in an answer to the complaint. It’s still an active civil case in Santa Barbara County Superior Court and has a case management conference scheduled for July. At the last meeting in April, attorneys said mediation was unsuccessful, according to court records. As of March 2022, the building was boarded up and had a stop work order posted on it.”
3/1/22: Noozhawk
Someone with local connections targeting empty buildings with fire? Sooner or later someone will get hurt or killed so identifying the arsonist his a high priority for police.