GOLETA, CA — A fire that caused an estimated $100,000 to a Jewish religious center and rabbi’s home in Isla Vista on Sunday, resulted from a 5-year-old child playing with matches and candles, fire officials said.

Fire investigators interviewed occupants and examined evidence before determining there was no malicious intent in connection with the blaze at UC Santa Barbara’s Chabad House, County Fire Capt. Eli Iskow said.

“When investigators determine that a child in this age group has been involved in a fire, the investigator’s focus is not on prosecution but on curbing future behavior by educating children and their parents on fire safety and the consequences of playing with fire,” he said.

“What people need to remember is that matches and lighters are deadly tools that should never be within the reach of a child.”

The rabbi's family of six managed to escape in time the two-story, 5,000-plus square-foot home without injury, thanks to their smoke alarm, but flame and smoke damage made the building uninhabitable, officials said.

A firefighter also suffered burns to his hands while fighting the flames, and has since been treated and released.

Iskow said studies show a majority of children are interested in fire and nearly half have played with matches or other fire-related materials.

“Anyone having children in the home is encouraged to store matches and lighters away just as you would a deadly weapon,” he said. “It is not usually the older children that find the matches and lighters and accidentally start a fire. It is toddlers, usually three- to five-year-olds that find the devices and start the fire.”

He also offered a series of fire-related safety tips for parents:

-Supervise children closely at all times

-Teach children to tell someone if they find matches or lighters

-Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it monthly

-Teach children not to hide during a fire, but to get out quickly

-Show children how to stay low to avoid smoke, or to stop, drop and roll if their clothes catch fire

-Install smoke alarms on every level, test them monthly and replace batteries regularly.

(Source: Daily Sound / VIN News)