Early Morning Fire Prompts Apartment Complex Evacuation

Twelve people were evacuated Sunday morning from a large apartment building on the 800 block of Cliff Drive when a fire broke out in one of the units.

According to a Santa Barbara City Fire spokesperson, the fire — which was accidental in nature — began in the kitchen area. The unit’s resident called dispatch at around 5:30 a.m., and the first arriving engine reported smoke and flames coming from the apartment’s second-story window.

The entire complex was evacuated while crews battled the blaze, which was quickly put out by 22 fire personnel. No one was injured. Everyone was able to return to their apartments except for the tenant whose kitchen was affected. Initial estimates of the fire damage is set at $35,000.

“The Santa Barbara City Fire Department would like to remind citizens to be aware of combustibles located near heating equipment during the cold winter,” the spokesperson said.