Developmental center caught fire twice

COSTA MESA — Emergency crews responded to two small fires at the Fairview Developmental Center on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, a Costa Mesa Fire Department spokesman said.

Two classrooms were damaged in a small blaze, which was promptly put out when Costa Mesa firefighters arrived about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Battalion Chief Kevin Diamond said.

A second fire was put out Sunday afternoon, although Diamond was unable to confirm the exact time.

While the exact locations of the fires on the campus is unclear, state Department of Developmental Services spokeswoman Nancy Lungren said that both fires were in nonresidential and not occupied at the time.

No injuries were reported; state investigators are looking into the cause of both fires, Lungren said by phone from Sacramento.

The state-operated facility is on Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa and is home to more than 400 individuals with developmental disabilities.

Sarah Peters