Case Closed on Gap Fire

Investigators said a 16-year-old boy has admitted setting last year's 9,544-acre Gap Fire in the Santa Barbara County foothills.

County fire Capt. David Sadecki said authorities investigating November's Tea Fire above Montecito and Santa Barbara were led to the teenager, who was in juvenile detention in Santa Maria on unrelated crimes.

After questioning, the boy was arrested and charged with arson for setting the July 2008 Gap Fire. Sadecki said the case is now closed and the details aren't being made public because the suspect is a minor.

The fire captain said the teenager was with three friends in the foothills area where the blaze started near Highway 154. The boy allegedly told investigators he went off by himself and started the blaze.