Authorities have yet to release Tea Fire names

Local authorities said Nov. 20 that nine of the 10 people believed to have caused the Tea fire are City College students.

"No one has been arrested, no one has been taken into custody," said Drew Sugars, public information officer at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's office.

Names of the nine individuals have yet to be released, since no charges have been filed.

Eric Hanson, chief assistant district attorney for Santa Barbara said Nov. 21 that his office has yet to receive any information from the Sheriff's department.

"We don't have any reports from the Fire or the Sheriff's office yet, so we aren't considering anything right now," Hanson said.

However, last Wednesday, Superintendent-President Andreea Serban released a statement indicating that the names of the suspects may be available shortly.

The Tea fire started Nov. 13, in the 700 block of East Mountain Drive, and burned 1,940 acres of land. The blaze also destroyed 210 homes, damaged nine, and cost approximately $5.7 million to contain.

There have been multiple injuries because of the fire, including severe burns. One death has been indirectly attributed to it.

Authorities believe that a bonfire caused the blaze, and investigators from multiple agencies are currently working on the case, according to Hanson.

Once the district attorney obtained reports from the investigators, they will assemble a team to determine if legal action will be taken.

In her statement last Wednesday, Serban distanced the college from the nine City College students connected to the fire.

"I would like to remind the campus community that this tragic incident and these allegations happened off campus and this is not an SBCC issue," she said.

The fire caused citywide electricity outages and forced City College to evacuate on Nov. 13.

Serban recommended that faculty, staff, and students who have a difficult time dealing with the aftermath, should contact counseling services for help.

"This is an emotionally intense situation for many people and for many reasons," Serban said.

The sheriff's department originally contacted Serban Oct. 19 and told her that City College students were believed to be responsible.

As of Monday, The Channels deadline, no names of nine believed responsible have been released.

The fire started around 6 p.m. on Nov. 13.

-Kyle Rokes contributed to this report

"We will cooperate with local authorities to the extent possible in their ongoing investigation,

"We are deeply saddened by this news, and extend our heartfelt sympathies to all members of the community and their families who were affected by this tragedy," Serban said in an e-mailed statement to faculty and staff on Thursday.

"We will cooperate with local authorities to the extent possible in their ongoing investigation," she added.

"We will issue no further statements until the sheriff's department releases any more details regarding the investigation," Serban continued in her statement.

The fire started around 6 p.m. on Nov. 13.

The Channels will further update information as it becomes available.

-Kyle Rokes contributed to this report

Serban recommended that faculty, staff, and students who have a difficult time dealing with the fire, should contact counseling services for help.

feel a need for counseling services should contact either Student Health Services, or

"This is an extremely difficult and challenging time for us."

"The college offers resources to faculty, staff or students who may feel they need counseling through SAVE, our employee assistance program, or through Student Health Services."