Goleta Studio Damaged in Morning House Fire

Santa Barbara County Fire fighters were called to the 5500 block of Somerset Drive in Goleta when flames were shooting out of a back studio.

Fire spokesperson Dave Zaniboni said flames and smoke were visible as firefighters arrived on seen. The fire broke out just before 9:30 a.m. today.

The tenant Lisa Sobczak said she came out of her room and the fire was already burning up towards the cupboards. She called 911 immediately. “Then I ran into the garage because I know there is a fire extinguisher there. Now we’re talking a span of three minutes tops” she said.

Soot filled more than half the room but Sobczak said she was able to get her small dog out safely.

The fire was contained to the studio unit in the back of the main house. The fire appears to have started in the kitchen area of the electrical stove.

Fire did spread into attic area of the main structure on the property. “Firefighters kept it from spreading into the main portion of the house,” said Zaniboni.

Firefighters covered the hole they made in the roof to help protect the home from rain damage.

It was raining when the fire was reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries were reported, although Sobczak said her hair was singed when she stepped into the burning room to use the fire extinguisher.