Wildfire Damages Westmont Dormitory Complex, Physics Building, and 14 Homes

The wildfire that torched trees and ignited structures on Westmont College’s campus last night destroyed eight buildings and a number of faculty homes, the college’s Web site reported today. No injuries were reported at the 1,300-student institution, located in the Montecito area east of Santa Barbara, Calif., but more than 300 students spent the night in the college’s gymnasium. No fires were still burning on the campus as of 8 a.m. Pacific time.

The college reported losing four buildings in a freshman residence-hall complex, as well as its physics building. It also lost three buildings slated for demolition — an old math building and two Quonset huts — and it reported that 14 faculty homes had burned. Many trees on the campus caught fire as well, the Web site said.

The wildfire, which began burning early Thursday evening, had consumed some 2,500 acres as of 9:30 a.m. Pacific time, according to the Los Angeles Times.