A small fire broke out at the base of the pier at the Santa Barbara Harbor Wednesday, not far from the entrance of Brophy Bros. restaurant, according to Harbor Patrol officials.
Harbor Patrol Supervisor Capt. Steve McCullough put the fire out, shortly after it began at about 12:30 p.m. McCullough described the fire area as “softball-sized,” and believes it occurred when a cigarette or ash became stuck between two of the planks of the pier. “It’s pretty common of Stearns Wharf,” he explained. “The ash slowly smolders and little flames pop up.”
The Santa Barbara Fire Department responded, but by that time McCullough and maintenance workers had doused the small flames with water from dock hoses. None of the planks have to be replaced, and McCullough said damage from the fire isn’t even visible.