News Smoke in Downtown Building Prompts Evacuation and State Street Closure Malfunctioning Air Compressor in Business's Basement to Blame

Santa Barbara city firefighters responded to 633 State Street at around 9:15 a.m. Monday morning when a malfunctioning air compressor in Velo Pro Cyclery’s basement started spewing smoke into the bike shop and other nearby businesses.

As fire crews removed the compressor and brought in large fans to air out affected retail spaces, said battalion chief Robert Mercado, employees were evacuated and State Street was briefly closed between Cota and Ortega streets. A section of Ortega Street was also blocked off for a short while, but restrictions on vehicle and foot traffic have since been lifted.

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