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• Authorities say a bonfire built by a group of students sparked a deadly November 2008 wildfire in the hills near Montecito, California. The blaze, dubbed the "Tea Fire," destroyed more than 200 homes, injured more than two dozen people and burned several buildings on the campus of Westmont College. Police said on November 18, 2008, that the students involved could face criminal charges in the case. After much initial speculation, it has been reported that nine of then students attend Santa Barbara City College.Santa Barbara Independent: [1] (November 19, 2008)

  Westmont College is situated in the hills of Montecito. The flames destroyed several buildings on campus, including the structures that house the physics and psychology departments. Several suites of a dormitory and 15 faculty homes were also destroyed. The fire burned through the eucalyptus grove on campus.MyFox Los Angeles: 100 Homes Destroyed, 4 injured in Montecito Fire (November 14, 2008)

  Montecito is the home to several celebrities. Oprah Winfrey owns a 42-acre estate in the area, and Rob Lowe and Michael Douglas both live in Montecito. Charlie Chaplin and Fatty Arbuckle lived in the landmark Montecito Inn that was built in the 1920s.MyFox Los Angeles: 100 Homes Destroyed, 4 injured in Montecito Fire (November 14, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. Fire in Montecito, Santa Barbara started at about 6: 00 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2008
  2. Fire began in the Cold Springs area of MontecitoCNN: More than 100 homes burned in California blaze (November 14, 2008)
  3. Driven by 50-70 mile-per-hour windsCNN: More than 100 homes burned in California blaze (November 14, 2008)
  4. By 4: 00 a.m on November 14, 2008, the fire had raged across 2,500 acresCNN: More than 100 homes burned in California blaze (November 14, 2008)
  5. By midmorning on Sunday, November 16, 75% of the fire was containedThe Lompoc Record: 'Minimal threat' seen from Tea fire; containment now at 75% (November 16, 2008)
  6. At least 25 people were injured in the blazeLos Angeles Times: Bonfire built by students caused Montecito fire, sheriff says (November 19, 2008)
  7. More than 200 homes were destroyed by the fireLos Angeles Times: Bonfire built by students caused Montecito fire, sheriff says (November 19, 2008)
  8. Blaze destroyed campus buildings at Westmont College

• Westmont College

• Celebrity Homes

• Emergency Phone Numbers

  • County Tea Fire Call Center: 805-681-5197KEYT.com: 6:30 a.m Tea Fire Evacuation Orders and Fire Information (November 14, 2008)
  • Animal Hotline: 805-681-4332KEYT.com: 6:30 a.m Tea Fire Evacuation Orders and Fire Information (November 14, 2008)

• Related pages on Mahalo

  Santa Barbara Fire | Tea Fire | Marek Wildfires | Napa Valley Wildfire | California Fires | California Wildfires June 2008 | Los Angeles | California | Malibu Fire | Sierra Madre Wildfire | Canyon Country Fire | San Diego Fire | Sesnon Fire | Santa Ana Winds | Fontana Wildfire | Sepulveda Pass Fire | Santa Barbara | Westmont College | Sundowner Winds | Montecito Inn | San Ysidro Ranch | Alhambra Fire | Marc Torchi

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