Community News
A Heartbreaking Morning for Old Town Newhall: Newhall Refinery Fire
A massive three-alarm fire destroyed the Newhall Refinery, The Main Theatre, and multiple businesses on historic Main Street in the early hours of August 24, 2026. Our community mourns a devastating loss.
August 25, 2026 Sam Silver 4 min read
Sam Silver
22-year SCV resident · REALTOR(R) · Community advocate
I have called Santa Clarita Valley home for 22 years. Old Town Newhall is the heart of this community -- a place where we gather, celebrate, and build memories. This fire breaks my heart, and I know it breaks yours too. I am sharing what we know so far as our community comes together to support those affected.
Community Offers of Assistance for Fire Victims
The Santa Clarita Valley community has rallied together with offers of assistance for the businesses and families affected by the Old Town Newhall fire. Watch the Facebook reel below to see the outpouring of support.
Watch: the community offers of assistance for fire victims
OLD TOWN NEWHALL FIRE RECOVERY RESOURCES
Help Rebuild Newhall Refinery
https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuild-newhall-refinery-after-the-august-24-fireEmergency Fund for Newhall Refinery Employees
https://www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-fund-for-newhall-refinery-staffHelp Care and Jonny Tucker Rebuild (Care Tucker Style House)
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-care-and-Jonny-rebuildDonate directly via the official Care Tucker site: https://www.caretucker.com/blogs/help-care-and-jonny/help-care-and-jonny
Support the Old Town Newhall Association
https://gofund.me/11ce56225All donations go to the Old Town Newhall Association to support fire recovery.
Local News and Community Assistance Information
https://www.hometownstation.com/santa-clarita-news/community-news/main-street-rallies-behind-old-town-newhall-businesses-devastated-by-fire-607056Facebook Reel: Offers of Assistance from the Community
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2155813051666916/Watch the Santa Clarita community rally together with offers of support for Old Town Newhall fire victims and affected businesses.
Important Notice
These fundraisers were publicly reported by local news organizations. SantaClaritaEvents.com does not collect or distribute the donations. Contributions are made directly through the individual fundraising pages. Please review the organizer, recipient and intended use of funds before donating.
Additional verified recovery efforts will be added as they become available.
Recovery Update - August 26, 2026
Updated: August 26, 2026 · New information continues to emerge as the community rallies together.
Since the fire on August 24, the Santa Clarita Valley community has mobilized quickly to support the businesses and families affected. Here is what we know as of August 26:
Fundraising Efforts Underway
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched for the Newhall Refinery and is already gaining community support. In addition, a second GoFundMe supports Care Tucker Style House, a Santa Clarita Valley family of six who lost their business in the fire. Every donation helps these families begin the long road to recovery.
City Officials Pledge Support
City officials have pledged strong support for the affected businesses and the historic Main Street corridor. Mayor Laurene Weste called Old Town Newhall "the root of our City's history" and stated that the city will "do everything we can to bring back what we have lost."
Businesses Impacted
In all, seven businesses on Main Street were impacted by the fire. Those confirmed as affected include:
- Newhall Refinery — restaurant and brewery, destroyed
- The MAIN — historic theatre, destroyed
- Care Tucker Style House — family-run business, destroyed
- Gary's Auto Collision — damaged
- El Trocadero — damaged
- And additional businesses still being assessed
Nearby Landmarks Spared
The nearby Canyon Theatre Guild survived the fire, offering a glimmer of hope for Old Town Newhall's arts community.
Investigation Ongoing
The cause of the fire remains under active investigation by the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Sheriff's arson investigators. Thankfully, no injuries were reported among firefighters, first responders, or civilians.
We continue to hold the affected businesses, their owners, and their employees in our thoughts and prayers. Santa Clarita is resilient, and together we will rebuild.
What Happened
A Fire That Shook Old Town Newhall to Its Core
In the early hours of Monday, August 24, 2026, a massive three-alarm fire tore through Old Town Newhall's historic Main Street district. Firefighters responded shortly before 3 a.m. to reports of a commercial building fire in the 24000 block of North Main Street, and what they found would forever change the face of downtown Newhall.
The blaze engulfed and destroyed the Newhall Refinery, a beloved local restaurant and brewery that had become a cornerstone of Old Town Newhall's dining and social scene. The fire also destroyed The Main Theatre, a historic downtown landmark that had served as an anchor of Main Street for decades. Multiple additional businesses were damaged or destroyed as the fire spread through the complex.
Parts of the building facade collapsed as firefighters worked heroically to contain the flames, turning a difficult situation into a dangerous one. The scene was one of devastation -- a sight no one in our community expected to wake up to.
"Old Town Newhall is the heart of our community, and this fire breaks our hearts. Our thoughts are with the owners, employees, and everyone affected. This is a tough moment, but Santa Clarita is resilient -- we have always come together, and we will again."
Emergency Response
Heroic Response from Los Angeles County Firefighters
The response from emergency services was swift and substantial. 112 Los Angeles County firefighters responded to the scene with 58 pieces of apparatus, arriving to find a fully involved commercial structure fire that was rapidly spreading through the interconnected buildings on Main Street.
Crews initially launched an aggressive interior attack, but as the fire weakened the structure and parts of the facade began to collapse, command made the difficult decision to shift to defensive mode. The unstable structure threatened to collapse onto Main Street, endangering the firefighters below. A hazardous materials team was called in to assess the scene, and investigators began working to determine the origin of the blaze.
By 8 a.m., the flames were largely doused, but crews continued pouring water on the complex well into the morning, working through hot spots and ensuring the fire did not reignite. The area remained closed to traffic as investigators and structural engineers assessed the damage.
Remarkably, no injuries were reported among firefighters, first responders, or civilians. That is a small mercy in an otherwise devastating morning.
A Deep Loss
More Than Buildings -- Pieces of Our Community
The Newhall Refinery was more than a restaurant. It was a gathering place where families celebrated birthdays, friends met for after-work drinks, and the community came together for live music and good food. It was a piece of what makes Old Town Newhall special -- the kind of place that gave Main Street its warmth and character. Its loss leaves a hole in the fabric of our downtown.
The Main Theatre was a historic anchor of Old Town Newhall -- a venue that has hosted countless performances, film screenings, and community events over the years. Its destruction is a devastating blow to Santa Clarita's arts and cultural scene.
This is a devastating loss for the local businesses, their owners, their employees, and the entire Santa Clarita Valley community. The ripple effects will be felt for a long time.
How to Help
How Our Community Can Rally Together
In moments like this, Santa Clarita shows what it is made of. We take care of our own. Here is how you can support the businesses, owners, and employees impacted by the fire:
Support Fundraising Efforts
Look for verified fundraising campaigns organized to support the affected business owners and their employees. Every dollar helps as they navigate recovery and rebuilding.
Support the Employees
The employees of these businesses are facing lost wages and uncertain futures. Community drives, tip funds, and direct support efforts can make a real difference for them and their families.
Follow Local News
Stay updated through The Signal and other local outlets for official announcements on how to support affected businesses. The community will organize, and we will share those details as they become available.
Show Up When They Rebuild
When Old Town Newhall rebuilds, show up and support local. The best way to honor what was lost is to pour our energy into what comes next -- a rebuilt Main Street that honors the spirit of this community.
Help the Newhall Refinery Community Rebuild
A GoFundMe has been launched to help those affected by the fire. Every donation helps the owners and employees begin to rebuild.
Donate on GoFundMeSanta Clarita, We Will Get Through This Together
This is a heartbreaking moment for our community. The Newhall Refinery, The Main Theatre, and the businesses lost in this fire were more than storefronts -- they were the soul of Old Town Newhall. But Santa Clarita is resilient. We have come together before in times of hardship, and we will again.
Hold your loved ones close. Support your neighbors. And when the time comes, be there for the rebuild. That is what community means.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by this heartbreaking fire. We can't wait to visit the Newhall Refinery and The Main Theatre's businesses again when it's safe to do so. Santa Clarita stands with you.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.