Firefighters urge residents to learn from recent fire mishap at Montecito Fire Station

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif.—The recent storms, snow, and overall cold weather are causing residents to increase their usage of heating lamps, fireplaces, and heaters.

Increased usage of heating equipment comes with inherent risks--risks that some Montecito firefighters have now experienced firsthand.

At around 7:20 pm on duty fire fighters at Montecito Fire Station 2 smelled smoke in the building of the 2300 hundred block of Sycamore Canyon Road. 

Firefighters inside said the smoke filled the first and second floors.

Ultimately, the fire was controlled and extinguished quickly.

“It's definitely my first time that a fire has broken out in a fire station,” said Montecito Firefighter Aaron Briner.

“Recognizing when there is a change or people are smelling smoke or something doesn't seem normal for their house or the use of a fireplace. It's important to act on that quickly, just like our guys did the other day in the station,” said Montecito Fire Division Chief of Operations David Neels.

The Montecito Fire Chief encourages residents to install carbon monoxide detectors in their home, and to perform routine maintenance on their fireplaces.

He says when you smell smoke identify the source and immediately call 9-1-1.

Preliminary investigation into the cause of the weekend fire determined that it started in the firebox of the fireplace in the dayroom of the fire station.

Investigators determined that the fire extended out of the firebox and into the wall behind the firebox.

Smoke and flames then traveled up the wall from the first floor to the second floor and into the attic.

The investigation is still underway as to how the fire box caught fire.

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