News Updates

What-Nature of Event:

Structure Fire

When-Time and Date:

1:51 A.M.-July 4, 2012

Where-Address of Event:

250 California Street

Who-Owner / Occupant:

Describe the Event: 

At 1:51 A.M., Santa Cruz Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at 250 California Street, reported to be a fire involving playground equipment and a storage shed and extending to the main building. Several calls were received and a large column of black smoke could be seen from the downtown area. First arriving units found a large amount of fire and smoke from the rear of the building with locked gates securing the property. Crews forced the gates to gain entry and stretched hoselines to engage the fire and prevent the fire from spreading further in the interior and attic. Crews were sent inside the building which was a school attached to the United Methodist church. Crews encountered heavy smoke and found one classroom fully involved to the rear and extending into the attic. The attic was a common attic encompassing the entire length of the building including a gymnasium. The fire was extinguished in both the classroom and attic and a though overhaul was conducted. The cause of the fire is being investigated and appears to have started outside on a deck. The fire was brought under control in 45 minutes and crews remained on the scene for an additional 3 hours. No injuries were reported.

Agencies Involved:

Santa Cruz City Fire, Santa Cruz Police, UCSC Fire, Scotts Valley Fire for city coverage, Central Fire for refilling air cylinders, AMR and PG&E

Number of Apparatus:

4 engines, 1 truck, 1 Battalion Chief, 1 investigator

Number of Firefighters: 

17

Estimated Loss & Save

$400.000 loss and $3,000,000 saved

Additional Information: