Montecito Tea Fire Caused by Student Bonfire. Some quick to consider Westmont. Authorities:"Students belong to SB City College"

by Patrick Price Photographer | November 19, 2008 at 01:31 am

4019 views | 51 Recommendations | 58 comments

The Santa Barbara and Montectito Communities respond to release by The Santa Barbara Independent. Some say the non-release of the students school is political maneuver.

See the comments for yourself at link here:

http://www.independent.com/news/2008/nov/18/tea-fire-cause-determined/

A smoldering bonfire built by students on a ridge-top overlooking Montecito apparently sparked last week's disastrous Tea fire, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said Tuesday.

Ten men and women, ranging in age from 18 to 22, had gathered at an abandoned property called the Teahouse late Wednesday night and built a bonfire to warm themselves, Brown said.

They told fire investigators that they thought the bonfire was out when they left early Thursday morning. But embers continued to smolder for more than 12 hours and were reignited by Santa Ana-type winds that evening, authorities said.

In what became one of Santa Barbara County's most destructive wildfires, fast-moving flames destroyed 210 homes and damaged nine others. At least 25 people were injured, three of them with burns.

Brown told a news conference that investigators believe that the group did not intend to start a wildfire.

"It appears this was the result of carelessness," he said.

Brown declined to identify any of the men and women involved, saying that the matter was still under investigation. However, he said they all lived locally and attended the same school. He declined to say which one.

Westmont College, a Christian university with 1,200 students, sits immediately below the mountain ridge where the Teahouse is located. But Brown would not confirm or deny that students from the private campus were involved.

The group could face charges of negligence or recklessness with fire, he said. It will be up to the district attorney's office to decide what, if any, criminal charges will be filed once the investigation is completed, Brown said.

Investigators learned about the group's late-night outing from an anonymous tipster who called a fire hotline, Brown said. Each person was then contacted and questioned about the night's activities, he said.

"They have been cooperative," Brown said.

Nancy Phinney, a Westmont spokeswoman, said the college did not think that any of its students were involved. The school lost several buildings and 14 faculty homes in the fire.

"We have been working closely and cooperating fully with fire officials and at no point has anyone said that any of our students have been implicated," Phinney said.

Asked whether the Teahouse property was a student hangout, she said that dating back to at least the 1960s, "Westmont students have known that area. . . . It's very near our campus."

Other colleges in the area include the Brooks Institute and UC Santa Barbara.

News about the fire's cause spread rapidly in Montecito and Santa Barbara. Jack Milton, who lost the ocean-view home he had lived in for more than three decades and all of his belongings, said he was angered to learn about the group's apparent carelessness.

"I hope they press charges to deter anyone else from doing something so stupid," Milton said. "Anyone with fire up in those hills is just ignorant."

Saillant and Merl are Times staff writers.

catherine.saillant LA Times

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Ron Ald (not verified)

at 11:12 on November 19th, 2008

Westmont represents less than 3% of all Santa Barbara's 41,000 college students including also UCSB, Brooks Institute and Santa Barbara Community College. The author of this article is irresponsible to suggest that Westmont students are the cause without any evidence.

lyrical (not verified)

at 13:33 on November 20th, 2008

A statement from Santa Barbara City College President Andreea Serban confirmed Thursday that nine of the ten people allegedly responsible for the Tea fire were enrolled at the school.
(The headline to this article was libelous and irresponsible and should be removed immediately.)

Patrick Price Photographer

at 21:49 on November 20th, 2008

Everyone should focus on rebuild efforts at this I point I think. Along with giving to the red-cross several efforts will develop over the coming weeks to help find housing for displaced residents and victims of the fire. Myself, I will be making all efforts possible to help victims of the fire. I will be having an Art-Photo show in January. A portion of the proceeds will go to funds for victims of the Tea Fire that are left picking up the pieces.

Ron Ald

at 19:59 on November 21st, 2008

How about an apology for spreading the rumor that the fires were started by Westmont students?

Sandiegan (not verified)

at 00:16 on November 23rd, 2008

At no point did this post say " westmont students responsible for fire" my friend. It stated from the very beginning that the SB community was in an uproar over who started it, and that a lot of fingers were pointing to Westmont. Typical American, unable to use words in their true meaning. Get a dictionary guy. I'm sure there is a used book store near the Jamba Juice you frequent in SD.

lyrical (not verified)

at 13:34 on November 20th, 2008

lyrical (not verified)

at 13:40 on November 20th, 2008

A statement from Santa Barbara City College President Andreea Serban confirmed Thursday that nine of the ten people allegedly responsible for the Tea fire were enrolled at the school.

lyrical (not verified)

at 13:41 on November 20th, 2008

A statement from Santa Barbara City College President Andreea Serban confirmed Thursday that nine of the ten people allegedly responsible for the Tea fire were enrolled at the school.

lyrical (not verified)

at 13:43 on November 20th, 2008

A statement from Santa Barbara City College President Andreea Serban confirmed Thursday that nine of the ten people allegedly responsible for the Tea fire were enrolled at the school.
Oops, Patrick Price's headline was irresponsible and should be removed immediately, just to clarify....

Patrick Price Photographer

at 21:48 on November 20th, 2008

pwprice80@yahoo.com (not verified)

at 11:23 on November 19th, 2008

If you've seen what I've seen from Westmont students, present and graduated, you would easily admit it is possible. I've seen a Westmont student setting fire to twigs in the park near there while they were stoned on Marijuana. Now THATS IRRISPONSIBLE. EVEN FOR A WESTMONT STUDENT. This article quotes authorities whom have spoken with the 10 people who believe they are responsible. Their collegiate affiliation is yet to be confirmed. Read The Article!!!!!

lyrical (not verified)

at 13:45 on November 20th, 2008

Just to clarify... Patrick Price's headline was irresponsible....

Ron Ald (not verified)

at 16:18 on November 21st, 2008

Patrick Price, as others, used their preexisting prejudice against Westmont as a chance to kick them while they are down.

patrick price photo (not verified)

at 18:08 on November 26th, 2008

Hey Guy,

How can you say that I had a pre-existing prejudice against Westmont? How do you know that I didnt go to school there, or presently or if I'm a christian etc? You can't. You are jealous of all the views this piece got. Keep up with developments of news stories and perhaps you too can be as good at this. I started the day after the tea fire broke out. When did you start, and why are your stories so ignored? Timing my friend, Timing.

Dorene Rhoads (not verified)

at 17:19 on December 8th, 2008

I do not believe this! I am an alum and that was not part of the deal. Variety, but variety with integrity.

pricephoto (not verified)

at 11:34 on November 19th, 2008

This article is a direct quote of an article based on releases from Authorities in the Santa Barbara area. While the possibility of another student group has not been ruled out, the main flow of young students going to the Tea Gardens for recreation comes from Westmont for obvious geographic reasons. I've witnessed very irresponsible behavior from present and graduated students from Westmont, including fire play while under the influence of libation. That's Irrisponsible.

TruthTeller (not verified)

at 12:48 on November 19th, 2008

You should be embarrassed by implicating anyone is this incident until it is reported by a credible source. I have a credible source that has confirmed that NO WESTMONT STUDENTS WERE INVOLVED IN THE FIRE. This is a fact and you are a rumor-monger. Shame on you!

David Cowan (not verified)

at 12:57 on November 19th, 2008

I graduated from Westmont. Stupid behavior comes in every flavor. Despite its overt religiosity, it has its share of normal people. But ones religious views have nothing to do with common sense (be the culprits from Westmont, UCSB, Santa Barbara City College or visiting from Yale) Seeking comfort, many choose to suggest a miracle or the blessing of a diety for sparing certain structures on campus while others burned to a crisp. Fire is caused by carelessness and is spread by winds with hypo-humidity over highly combustable fuel. Fire is not aimed or directed by a supernatural diety. It sounds as if the fire was an accident. Nobody died. Lots of people terribly effected. Give the college credit for the way they handled the crisis so far. If the investigation concludes that its students were responsible, let's give the college a chance to make ammends to the community.

Patrick Price Photographer

at 13:05 on November 19th, 2008

The article was changed, and no Westmont students are being accused as of right now. This is not a rumor. The article states facts. The 10 people whom are believed to be responsible for the fire are college students, and they all go to the same school. Which school is yet to be released to the media.

Ron Ald (not verified)

at 15:06 on November 21st, 2008

Thank you for changing the article to be more accurate as more information was available. At one moment in time the headline read "Montecito Santa Barbara Tea Fire Caused by Westmont College Students Bonfire." The headlines before and after this were more accurate and this headline was removed soon after it was posted so I appreciate your concern that noone got the wrong idea.

This was especially important since so many were ready to kick Westmont while it was down. So seemed to base this on their beliefs or disagreements regarding land use approvals. None of these are valid reasons to spead vicious rumors without any proof.

You have been the only person on this blog or the Independent to care about what kind of damage this false rumors can cause a small college of about 1,000 students that seems to be trying to be a good nieghbor in spite of the cheap shots it is having to endur unfairly. Bravo!

Barbara McPherson

at 13:41 on November 19th, 2008

It makes me wonder about the intelligence level of people who would light a fire in a place like that. Surely they won't get off with a "sorry, it was an accident."

Allen Clemens (not verified)

at 15:04 on November 19th, 2008

Although the media has been speculating that, due to the proximity of Westmont College, the fire was started by students who attend the school, the fire department has stated that the suspects they are questioning are not Westmont students.

Patrick Price: Please do your research.

Patrick Price Photographer

at 15:31 on November 19th, 2008

Allen, if you could read, you would see that I never stated Westmonts students were, in fact, responsible for the fire. And when I did mention Westmont students in my previous edit of the article, it was in the context of possibility. I did my research, and listed factual info. Please don't make this a personal protection campaign for Westmont. And please list a link or a quote for "the fire department has stated that the suspects they are questioning are not Westmont students." listed from your comment. Please be thorough. Thanks!

Ron D (not verified)

at 16:57 on November 21st, 2008

I have a copy of Partick Price's headline which falsely states that the "Montecito Santa Barbara Tea Fire Caused by Westmont College Students Bonfire." It is one thing to jump to a seemingly obvious conclusion but quite another thing to deny the mistake by accusing the fire victims of past drunkedness, pot smoking and twig igniting behavior as a justification.

I would post the link to the false headline but this site rejects my attempted links as "spam." I'll keep trying so you all can see.

sandiegan (not verified)

at 00:19 on November 23rd, 2008

go get laid pal

Patrick Price Photographer

at 15:32 on November 19th, 2008

My post never said Westmont students were responsible. I'm flattered that my images are so persuading, but really the facts are right there and the post is non biased and based on facts.

amyjudd

at 15:54 on November 19th, 2008

Good piece!

Mike Crawford (not verified)

at 17:50 on November 19th, 2008

This is extracted from the Westmont College Website home page and is part of the "Tea Fire Update from President Gayle Beebe"http://www.westmont.edu/
".....1. Were any Westmont students involved in causing the fire?

No. On Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2:45 p.m., Drew Sugars, the public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, officially informed the college that no current Westmont students were present nor in anyway involved with this tragic incident.

We have been in regular contact with investigators since the fire and have been providing any information that might be helpful toward determining the exact cause of the fire. This is our responsibility as a community citizen. Our surrounding coastal region is home to many colleges and universities, and like all of them, we are awaiting new information.

It should be noted that at this point, the group of individuals responsible for starting the fire are under the jurisdiction of law enforcement authorities. Again, no current Westmont students were involved with this incident...."