Illegal fireworks are believed to be the cause of a fire that caused extensive damage to the walls of the Anderson Recreation Center in Lompoc Wednesday night.
The Lompoc Fire Department reports crews responded at about 9:14 p.m. to the building located on the 100 block of W. Walnut Avenue to reports of bushes being on fire against the building.
Damage from a fire at the Anderson Recreation Center. (Photo: Lompoc FD)
City firefighters were assisted by crews from Santa Barbara County Fire.
Officials say when firefighters arrived, the flames were against the wall and threatening the building. Some of the windows had also broken, causing smoke to fill the inside of the structure.
Firefighters were able to knock the flames down within about five minutes before the fire made its way inside the building; however, officials say the walls were severely charred and parts of the outside of the building had to be removed.
Firefighters say the cause was determined to be fireworks placed on the wall of the building near the bushes, which witnesses reported.
Police were not able to locate whoever set them off.
Damage is estimated at approximately $5,000.
Damage from a fire at the Anderson Recreation Center. (Photo: Lompoc FD)
