Fire at Booth Is 2nd Electrical Accident at Fair

Fire swept through a surf wear vendor’s booth at the Orange County Fair early Saturday, causing $125,000 damage in the second electrical accident at the fairgrounds this week.

Brice Campbell, a security worker who helped firefighters put out the blaze, was released from Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach after being treated for smoke inhalation. There were no other injuries.

On Thursday, a show horse was electrocuted when a faulty electrical connection caused current to surge through a metal barn where the animal was being groomed for this weekend’s horse show.

Fair officials said Saturday’s fire was caused by an electrical short in a unit that supplied power to the booth’s stereo and lighting system. The booth, a wood-framed open structure with a tarpaulin roof, was operated by Sami Khalil, who owns Sammie’s Beachwear in Irvine.

“I was shocked when they woke me up to say that my booth had burned down,” said Khalil, 28. “We’ve invested so much time and money in this fair. Now everything is gone. I’m pretty much out of business.”

Khalil said at least 50% of his merchandise was destroyed, while the remainder suffered smoke and water damage.

Fair spokeswoman Jill Lloyd said the damage could have been worse if firefighters had not spotted the blaze while making their rounds.

Since it was the second electrical accident at this fair in three days, Lloyd said fair electricians will inspect all exhibit areas to ensure that electrical hookups are in compliance with state fire and safety standards.