News

Students Did Not Start Fire, Westmont Says

Authorities said earlier that 10 college-age students had built a bonfire that started the fire.

Christianity Today November 20, 2008

Westmont President Gayle Beebe released a statement yesterday that said no Westmont students were to blame for starting the California fire that destroyed more than 200 homes and several campus buildings.

Ten men and women, ranging in age from 18 to 22, built a bonfire Wednesday night to warm themselves, authorities told the Los Angeles Times. Other schools in Santa Barbara include the Brooks Institute of Photography, Santa Barbara City College, and the University of California Santa Barbara.

The Westmont Horizon posted Beebe’s statement on its liveblog.

On Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2:45 p.m., Drew Sugars, the public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office officially informed the college that no current Westmont students were present nor in anyway involved with this tragic incident.

It should be noted that at this point, the group of individuals responsible for starting the fire are under the jurisdiction of law enforcement authorities. Again, no current Westmont students were involved with this incident.

Our Latest

News

Mike Pence Shares the First Thing He Said to Trump in Four Years

The day after Jimmy Carter’s funeral, the former VP spoke to CT’s Russell Moore about what happened in the presidential pews and his prayers for his former running mate.

News

LA Pastors Wait on a ‘Gentle Miracle’ While Their Communities Burn

Wildfire survivors say recovery from such huge loss is possible, but halting.

News

Irish Evangelicals Stand Against Growing Approval for Assisted Dying

With the UK making moves to legalize the practice, Protestant and Catholic leaders reiterate a pro-life defense for the vulnerable.

In Hong Kong, One Pastor Ministers to a Gen Z Protester in Prison

Amid high rates of depression and anxiety among young people, Christian leaders boost efforts to address mental health challenges.

News

Brazil’s Fight Over the Soul of a Snack

For decades, acarajé has been considered an offering to Afro-Brazilian religious deities. What happens when evangelicals start producing and selling it?

When Reading the Psalms, Don’t Skip the Superscriptions

They’re part of the Bible’s original text, and frequently essential to understanding it.

The Bulletin

Check Yes or No

The Bulletin remembers Jimmy Carter, explores the end of Meta’s fact-checking program, and catches up on what’s been happening with Congress.

News

From Plains to the Presidency, Jimmy Carter Remembered at National Funeral

Grandson said his 100-year life testified to the “goodness of God.”

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube