Loma Fire attack saved structures in a dangerously dry location

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Roaring winds, explosive flames and a hillside that was loaded with old, dry brush. That's what firefighters faced Thursday night when the Loma Fire began racing up TV hill. 

In about 15 minutes, the fire consumed several acres and began threatening the NewsChannel studios, a business building nearby and three homes.

On the other side of the properties was a full neighborhood of housing, small streets and residents who were caught off guard.

Residents on several streets, seeing a shower of embers falling on them, decided to self-evacuate.

The fire was set by an arsonist, according to fire and police investigators who have made an arrest.

It took everything the Santa Barbara Fire department had at once, plus an urgent call for mutual aid engines, to wrestle down the fire.

One homeowner in the line of fire gave 911 dispatchers critical addresses to defend just before the flames were going to overrun his property.

Steve Belling said, "if it would have been a couple of minutes later, it would have been bye-bye KEYT, bye-bye my house, and bye-bye my neighbor's house."

Some residents self-evacuated just as Search and Rescue team members started going door to door.

One man and others came to defend a friend's home on Cornell Street when it was showered with embers.

Three properties had fire damage including fencing, irrigation and trees, but the NewsChannel TV station, an iconic structure on the hill overlooking the city since the 1950s, was saved.

The attack plan called for saving lives and property first, while also engaging the fire.

Battalion Chief Jim McCoy said, "we don't want the fire to continue growing, structure defense is really important, but you know securing the anchor and stopping lateral spread is important as well."

In some areas, nearly everything that was brush was turned to ash.

One home had sprinklers with sensors to set off the system when a fire is nearby.

State Farm Insurance Agent Paul Cashman said, "because he built it correctly and maintained weed abatement correctly, this house is still standing today. I was sure this house was lost."

Engines will likely be on scene for several days to look for any sign of new smoke if fire is still hiding. McCoy said, "we will have fire watches as necessary. We'll continue to bring our crews in and find hot spots and dig up stumps and spray water and do what we need to do."

The fire burned about nine acres but was one of the most visible fires in Santa Barbara in recent years.