Cause of Fatal Fire in Santa Maria Determined

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At 4:33 pm on Saturday January 15, 2011, Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBC FD) responded four engines and a battalion chief to a reported structure fire located at 1198 Barnett Rd. in Santa Maria.  SBC FD was assisted by an engine and breathing support unit from Santa Maria City Fire Department as well as an ambulance from AMR.

It was reported that two adults were inside the structure at the time of the fire. Firefighters arrived on scene at a single family residence, well involved in fire, and began search and rescue operations as well as extinguishment. Firefighters searched the house and found an adult female in the rear portion of the house.  The female victim was moved to the outside of the structure where firefighters attempted life saving efforts but where unable to revive her.  She was pronounced dead at the scene.  An adult male was also injured.

The fire was investigated by SBCFD and was assisted by the Santa Barbara County Arson Task Force. As a result of the investigation, the cause of the structure fire that occurred at 1198 Barnett Rd. is determined to be - Accidental.  According to investigators, the most probable cause is smoking, but this is undetermined.

No other competent ignition sources were found in the area of origin.  The investigation was confirmed by information obtained from the surviving occupant.

The home did have working smoke detectors at the time of the fire and may have helped save the life of the one of the residents.



Author:Santa Barbara County Fire Department Press Release