A firefighters uses a saw to gain access to a fire at the Mesa Shopping Center in Santa Barbara early Wednesday.
A firefighters uses a power saw to gain access to a fire at the Mesa Shopping Center in Santa Barbara early Wednesday. Credit: Peter Hartmann / Noozhawk photo

Firefighters battled a fire that damaged multiple businesses at the Mesa Shopping Center on Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara early Wednesday, according to the Santa Barbara City Fire Department.

Crews responded at about 5:45 a.m. to reports of smoke in the building at 2026 Cliff Drive, said fire Battalion Chief Jon Turner.

Upon arrival, firefighters traced the flames to Essence Med Spa, and upgraded the reports to a working structure fire, bringing additional firefighting resources, Turner said.

Crews were able to extinguish the fire in about 20 minutes, and there were no reported injuries.

Although the flames were contained to the single business, others on both sides of the spa sustained smoke and water damage, Turner said.

Some roads in the area were blocked off while crews battled the fire and mopped up.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

A firefighter rescues some mice in a terrarium during a fire at the Mesa Shopping Center in Santa Barbara early Wednesday.
A firefighter rescues some mice in a terrarium during a fire at the Mesa Shopping Center in Santa Barbara early Wednesday. Credit: Peter Hartmann / Noozhawk photo
A firefighters sprays water on a fire at the Mesa Shopping Center in Santa Barbara early Wednesday.
A firefighters sprays water on a fire at the Mesa Shopping Center in Santa Barbara early Wednesday. Credit: Peter Hartmann / Noozhawk photo