Students’ Bonfire Blamed for California Blaze
By Associated Press
Published: Wed, November 19, 2008 - 3:04 pm
Last Updated: Wed, November 19, 2008 - 3:05 pm
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Authorities in Southern California say it was
a bonfire built by a group of college students that caused a
wildfire in Santa Barbara that destroyed 210 homes. More than two
dozen people were injured.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown says it appears the fire
was the result of carelessness, not criminal attent, and that the
students said they thought they'd put the fire out. The county
district attorney will review the case.
The fire was the first of three blazes to erupt in Southern
California in the last week which have collectively damaged or
destroyed about 1,000 homes.
Santa Ana winds that swept six counties like a blowtorch died
down Tuesday, allowing crews to mop up the smoldering hotspots.
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