Sirens crossing the City of Santa Barbara heightened tensions on Tuesday afternoon already raised by the spooky orange glow of the skies from Alamo and Whittier fire smoke. A man in his seventies had tried to start his balky recreational vehicle in the 4200 block of State Street by pouring gasoline into the carburetor, whereupon flames spurted from the engine compartment.
The call had come in to County Fire dispatch as an RV on fire at about 1:50 p.m. When firefighters arrived, three RVs were fully engulfed in flames, reported fire spokesperson Mike Eliason. Three engine companies responded, as well as a truck company, battalion chief and another engine from City Fire. The fire was out within 20 minutes.
The man suffered third degree burns to his hands and possibly his legs, said Eliason. He was taken by ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.