- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Goleta Today
By the People, for the People
Goleta Valley Family Seeks Support After Deadly House Fire
Five family members and their pets displaced after blaze claims 89-year-old woman's life
Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:21pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A family's home reduced to ashes, the overwhelming power of nature on full display.Goleta TodayA deadly house fire in Goleta Valley on Tuesday claimed the life of an 89-year-old woman, Carolee Martin, as well as two pets, leaving five family members and their animals displaced. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to seek support as they struggle to find stable housing to begin the healing process.
Why it matters
Tragic house fires can have a devastating impact on families, both in terms of the loss of life and the disruption to their lives. This incident highlights the need for community support and resources to help displaced families get back on their feet after such traumatic events.
The details
The fire broke out on the 5000 block of Amberly Place in Goleta Valley on Tuesday afternoon, with firefighters responding to the scene just after 2 p.m. It took about 10 minutes to extinguish the flames, which were contained to the single house. Carolee Martin, 89, perished in the blaze along with a dog and a cat. Five family members and their remaining pets were left displaced by the fire, the cause of which is still under investigation.
- The fire occurred on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
- Firefighters were alerted to the fire just after 2 p.m. on April 14.
The players
Carolee Martin
An 89-year-old woman who died in the house fire.
Iceon Anderson
The great-grandson of Carolee Martin, who set up a GoFundMe page to seek support for the displaced family.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
The fire department that responded to the blaze and extinguished the flames.
Captain Michael Gray
A firefighter who provided details about the fire response and containment.
What they’re saying
“We're struggling to find a place that can accommodate our family and give us the stability we need to start healing.”
— Iceon Anderson, Great-grandson of Carolee Martin
“Firefighters were on scene really fast and went to work right away.”
— Captain Michael Gray
What’s next
The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to seek support from the community as they work to find stable housing and begin the healing process.
The takeaway
This tragic house fire in Goleta Valley has left a family devastated, highlighting the importance of community support and resources for displaced families in the aftermath of such traumatic events. The community's response in providing aid and assistance will be crucial in helping this family rebuild their lives.
