A fire that destroyed a home on the Riviera in Santa Barbara over the weekend was deemed accidental, and most likely was caused by an electrical malfunction, according to the Santa Barbara City Fire Department.
The blaze broke out just before 10 a.m. on Saturday along the 1300 block of Dover Hill Road, below Franceschi Park.
Damage was estimated at more than $1.85 million, said Amber Anderson, a Santa Barbara City Fire Department fire specialist and public information officer,
The fire resulted in “total destruction of the single-family residence,” Anderson said.
The one occupant who was home at the time of the fire escaped without injury, she added.
The Fire Department responded with multiple engines and a ladder truck, as well additional resources from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and the Montecito Fire Protection District.
Upon arrival, the structure was engulfed in flames that were “rolling out of nearly every window,” Anderson said.
Firefighters aggressively attacked the fire from the exterior of the building, as well as provided exposure protection to keep the flames from spreading to surrounding vegetation and neighboring homes, Anderson said.
No injuries were reported.
“The Santa Barbara City Fire Department would like to remind everyone that early notification to 9-1-1 is the first step to reducing potential devastation and loss of life as a result of fast-moving fires,” Anderson added.
— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
