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metspitzer
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 Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:47 am Post subject: Bonfire party caused Montecito fire |
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Bonfire party caused Montecito fire
4:39 PM, November 18, 2008
The fire that destroyed scores of homes in Montecito and Santa Barbara
was caused by a group of young people who had built a bonfire,
authorities said today.
A group of 10 young men and women described by authorities as locals
went to the Tea house, an abandoned mansion, on Wednesday night for a
bonfire party. They told Santa Barbara County sheriff's investigators
that they had put the fire out before they left that night. But
authorities believe the fire continued to smolder through Thursday
before breaking out into fire when winds swept in Thursday afternoon.
At this time, it does not appear to be malicious, said Santa Barbara
County Sheriff Bill Brown.
Officials described the group that started the fire as "college
students," but didn't identify them further.
The fire broke out near Westmont College, but school officials say
there's no indication that Westmont students were involved.
"We have been working closely and cooperating fully with fire
officials, and at no point has anyone said that any of our students
have been implicated," said Nancy Phinney, director of public
relations for the college.
Asked whether the Teahouse property was a student hangout, she said
that dating back to at least the 1960s, "Westmont students have known
about that area....It's very near our campus."
Firefighters have achieved 95% containment of the 1,940-acre Tea fire,
which damaged or destroyed 219 residences.
Last year, officials arrested several people who allegedly started a
bonfire in some caves above Corral Canyon in Malibu, where flames
burned dozens of homes.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2008/11/authorities-say.html
An abandoned mansion? Boy California must really be a shithole. |
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charles bash
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| Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:47 am Post subject: Re: Bonfire party caused Montecito fire |
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Starting a 'bonfire' in a prairie, in weather conditions KNOWN to be
"hot and dry"' and highly conducive to fire spreading due to flying
embers and the like, should be a SERIOUS FELONY CRIME punishable by
several years in jail
I can't imagine "malicious" being the sole criteria { which it appears
here} of whether or not a crime was committed
People suffer an irreplaceable loss when they lose their home, even if
covered by insurance.
Insurance !! Where the risk is highest, such as to fire or flood, that's
where homeowners are the Least Likely to carry it due to the high annual
premiums. I have read of many examples of this.
C. bash |
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Lets Roll
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:56 am Post subject: Re: Bonfire party caused Montecito fire |
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"charles bash" <C622B@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:20576-49239E2C-2188@storefull-3313.bay.webtv.net...
| Quote: | Starting a 'bonfire' in a prairie, in weather conditions KNOWN to be
"hot and dry"' and highly conducive to fire spreading due to flying
embers and the like, should be a SERIOUS FELONY CRIME punishable by
several years in jail
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Intent.
They didn't intend to commit a crime so they are not guilty.
However, the drunk driver who maims or kills had no intent either.
We have local ordinances that come into play under certain weather
conditions, like no burn days. If you get caught barbecuing, cranking up
the fireplace, or burning trash you will get a real hefty fine, but it's not
criminal.
| Quote: | I can't imagine "malicious" being the sole criteria { which it appears
here} of whether or not a crime was committed
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Unfortunately "stupid" is not a crime.
| Quote: | People suffer an irreplaceable loss when they lose their home, even if
covered by insurance.
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And you would think this bunch of college kids would have figured that out
from watching the fires out there burn down homes year after year.
| Quote: | Insurance !! Where the risk is highest, such as to fire or flood, that's
where homeowners are the Least Likely to carry it due to the high annual
premiums. I have read of many examples of this.
C. bash
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Oh well. Apparently there's a vacant mansion or two around that's
available. I haven't really followed the details on the story, but I heard
it was in Ophra's 'hood, and those folks have enough money to have
insurance, unless they're as stupid as the college kids. Which is entirely
possible, now that you mention it. |
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