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Penalties For Fire Suspects Vary

John Palminteri

Story Created: Nov 20, 2008 at 12:21 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 8:07 PM PDT

The Santa Barbara District Attorney's office is reviewing the investigation into the destructive Tea Fire. There are ten suspects. They have not been identified, but the Sheriff's department says they are students at Santa Barbara City College.

The fire was sparked from leftover embers after a bonfire at a site called the Tea House in the Montecito Hills. 231 homes were lost.

Residents in the fire zone are outspoken about the penalties the suspects could receive. One said they should immediately be ordered to help the fire victims clean up the debris and begin helping to rebuild the destroyed homes. Another objected to jail time, but said some kind of penalty should be levied.

The decision on charges will be made by the District Attorney's office, and penalties will be handed down after the suspects go through the court system.

Senior Reporter John Palminteri has the story.
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