Police Say Fire That Destroyed SPHS Gym Was Suspicious

Friday December 16, 2022

(Photos courtesy SPPD and Ventura County Fire PIO)

      Updated--Santa Paula police say the investigation into the November 27th fire that destroyed the historic Bryden Gym at Santa Paula High School has been deemed suspicious by arson investigators.

     Meanwhile detectives continue to seek public help in their investigation into what happened.

     It's believed the fire probably started not long after midnight on Sunday morning, November 27th in the 84-year-old building on 5th Street between Santa Paula Street and Virginia Terrace on the west side of the campus.

     Firefighters were dispatched at 12:42 AM after received numerous 911 calls about flames coming from the building.

     It took at least 12 hours and the efforts of firefighters from four different departments to finally knock the fire down.

     The huge building was left gutted and has been demolished.

     No injuries were reported.

     Santa Paula issued another news release Friday saying, "Anyone who may have information pertaining to the fire is urged to call the Santa Paula Police Department at (805) 525-4474 or Detective Shawn Virani at (805) 525-4474 ext. 220. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous may call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.The Santa Paula Police Department has also established a secure database to collect footage from security cameras or surveillance videos. If you have information or video(s)to share, please notify the Police Department and email SPCrimeInfo@spcity.org. Also, the Santa Paula Unified School District is offering a WeTip telephone number to report any information: (844) 805-2659."