SANTA MARIA, Calif.- A small brush fire is out after it sparked off Highway 101 in Santa Maria just after 6:00 Thursday evening.
An older model VW van caught fire on the northbound shoulder of the highway just past the Stowell Road overcrossing. By the time firefighters arrived, the fire had spread to dry brush in the median landscaping area along the Stowell Road offramp.
Santa Maria fire say the driver, a recent graduate of UCSB, was returning to the Sacramento area and the van was overstuffed with he and his girlfriend's personal possessions (mostly clothing).
The driver experienced some mechanical difficulties, pulled to the side of the freeway and noticed smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment area. Due to the location, one engine from Santa Barbara County Fire Department provided personnel, water and assistance with controlling this incident.
Firefighters managed to put out both fires within a few minutes after arriving.
No one was seriously hurt. Damage is estimated at $6,000 to the van, and $1,000 to the contents.
