A massive fire in an apartment complex near Allan Hancock College has left several families displaced, and investigators are calling the blaze “suspicious.”
As of press time, investigators had no
new information on what caused the fire, which destroyed two apartment units and damaged 10 others, but said the investigation is ongoing.
“It is still under investigation, but it
tends to look like it was intentionally set,” Santa Maria Police Department Lt. Gerel Haley said.
At approximately 10:10 a.m. on Jan. 19, a Santa Maria dispatch center received numerous emergency calls reporting a large fire on the 900 block of East Jones Street.
All four Santa Maria Fire Department engines responded to the scene and were assisted by Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County fire departments.
No one was hurt in the blaze, but two people were transported to Marian Medical Center and treated for smoke inhalation. A third was treated at the scene.
Damage was assessed at roughly $350,000 in structural damage and about $50,000 in content damage.
Early information indicated the fire started in the patio area of a downstairs apartment unit. Two apartments were completely destroyed as the fire spread, and five other units sustained heat, smoke, and water damage. Five others were left without electricity, gas, orwater until later that evening.
This article appears in Jan 27 – Feb 3, 2011.
