Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to reports of a fire at Neverland Valley Ranch at around 10 a.m. this morning. But by the time they arrived at the sprawling Santa Ynez Valley property — formerly owned by Michael Jackson and now in the portfolio of real estate investor Tom Barrack — the small blaze had been doused.
According to County Fire spokesperson David Sadecki, an improperly maintained hood system of an outdoor barbecue caught fire. It was quickly contained by the barbecuers, and no buildings were damaged and no injuries were reported.