Nature of Incident: Brush Fire Erupts Near Brooks Institute
Report Number: 15-5636
Location: 5301 N Ventura Ave. between Ventura and Ojai
Date & Time: 03-12-15 / 3:54 P.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff Office
Ventura County Fire Department
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Unknown
Narrative:
On 03-12-15, at 3:53 P.M., Patrol Deputies from the Ojai Station were flagged down by a citizen who saw smoke rising from a field next to the Brooks Institute located at 5301 N. Ventura Road. Firefighters from the Ventura County Fire Department, Ventura City Fire Department and Cal-Fire quickly arrived on scene and fought the blaze. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit assisted with water drops. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Unmanned Aviation System (UAS) was deployed in support of the firefighting efforts. This is the first time the Sheriff’s Office has deployed the UAS since receiving countywide authorization from the FAA. Approximately 15 acres have burned.
Approximately 150 people from the Brooks Institute were evacuated as a precaution. At this time, no injuries have been reported. The California Highway Patrol assisted with the closure of Ventura Ave. between Crooked Palm Road and Canada Larga Road. The blaze has been determined to be human caused and is under investigation. Investigators from the Ventura County Fire Department and Ventura County Sheriff’s Arson Unit are investigating the cause.
Anyone with information about the cause of the fire is asked to contact Detective Mike Rompal at (805) 383-8743.
Prepared by: Captain John Reilly
News Release Date: 03-12-15 / 6:30 P.M.
Media Follow-Up Contact: Captain John Reilly (805) 947-6782. [email protected]
Approved by: Captain Todd Inglis
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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