SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Santa Barbara City Fire crews knocked out a small fire at Peabody Charter School this morning.According to the fire department at 11:00 am this morning Santa Barbara City Fire crews responded to a reported structure fire at Peabody Charter School, 3018 Calle Noguera. First arriving units reported light smoke coming from the front of the main building and a full evacuation in progress. Engine 4 pulled a pre-connect hoseline after being directed to a storage closet adjacent to the cafeteria.
The fire in the water heater closet had been partially extinguished by a broken waterline. Engine 4 personnel, with support from Engine 5 and Truck company crews, pulled ceiling and checked for fire extension in an adjoining storage room. A subsequent fire investigation determined that combustible materials stored in close proximity to the gas water heater had ignited. The subsequent fire melted a waterline on a nearby water softener unit which controlled the fire until firefighters arrived. A smoke detector located in the adjacent storage closet alerted the alarm company, as well as school personnel.
Peabody Charter School employees are to be commended for responding appropriately, initiating a swift and orderly evacuation of the entire campus. Additionally, school personnel assured that the door to the storage closet remained closed until firefighters arrived, which lessened the extent of damage to the structure.
