Standing With Old Town Newhall After the Refinery Fire
In the early hours of Monday, August 24, 2026, a massive three-alarm fire tore through Old Town Newhall's historic Main Street district, destroying the Newhall Refinery, The Main Theatre, and multiple businesses. This is a devastating loss for our community, and now is the time to come together and support those affected.
OLD TOWN NEWHALL FIRE RECOVERY RESOURCES
- Help Rebuild Newhall Refinery
https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuild-newhall-refinery-after-the-august-24-fire - Emergency Fund for Newhall Refinery Employees
https://www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-fund-for-newhall-refinery-staff - Help Care and Jonny Tucker Rebuild
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-care-and-Jonny-rebuild - 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-607056 - Support the Old Town Newhall Association
https://gofund.me/11ce56225
All donations go to the Old Town Newhall Association to support fire recovery.
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 (Aug 26)
Two days after the devastating fire on Main Street, the Santa Clarita community is rallying together to support the affected businesses and families. Here is what we know as of August 26:
- GoFundMe campaigns are gaining momentum. The Newhall Refinery's official GoFundMe has been launched and is receiving widespread community support. A second GoFundMe supports Care Tucker Style House, a Santa Clarita Valley family of six who lost their business in the fire.
- City officials have pledged their full support. Mayor Laurene Weste called Old Town Newhall "the root of our City's history" and said the city will "do everything we can to bring back what we have lost."
- The Canyon Theatre Guild survived the fire. The nearby theater was not destroyed, offering a small measure of relief for the arts community.
- Seven businesses on Main Street were impacted. The affected businesses include Newhall Refinery, The MAIN, Care Tucker Style House, Gary's Auto Collision, El Trocadero, and others.
- The cause remains under active investigation by the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Sheriff's arson investigators. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with everyone affected. The community's response has been nothing short of inspiring.
What Happened
Firefighters responded shortly before 3 a.m. to reports of a commercial building fire in the 24000 block of North Main Street. The blaze quickly escalated, engulfing the Newhall Refinery, a beloved local restaurant and brewery that served as a gathering place for the community. The fire also destroyed The Main Theatre, a historic downtown landmark, and spread to multiple neighboring businesses.
As the fire intensified, part of the building's facade collapsed while crews worked heroically to contain the flames. The Los Angeles County Fire Department deployed 112 firefighters with 58 pieces of apparatus in the response. Crews shifted to defensive operations as the unstable structure threatened to collapse onto Main Street itself.
A hazardous materials team was called to the scene alongside fire investigators. By 8 a.m. the flames were largely doused, though crews continued pouring water on the smoldering wreckage. In a deeply fortunate turn, no injuries were reported among firefighters, business owners, or the public.
What We Lost
The Newhall Refinery was more than a restaurant and brewery. It was a place where families celebrated birthdays, where friends gathered after work, where the community connected over craft beer and good food. It was a neighborhood landmark that defined the character of Old Town Newhall.
The Main Theatre was a historic anchor of the district — a venue that brought art, film, and live performances to Santa Clarita for years. Its loss is not just the loss of a building, but the loss of a cultural touchstone.
The fire also impacted other businesses along the 24000 block of Main Street. Owners, employees, and their families are facing an uncertain future. This is a devastating moment for everyone who loves Old Town Newhall.
How You Can Help
The most meaningful thing we can do right now is show up for the people and businesses who have lost so much. Here are ways to help:
Support the Impacted Businesses
Reach out to the Newhall Refinery, The Main Theatre, and other affected businesses to see how you can help. Many will be organizing support drives, GoFundMe campaigns, and community fundraisers in the coming days and weeks. Follow their social media channels and the City of Santa Clarita's official updates for verified ways to contribute.
Support the Employees
The staff of these businesses have lost their workplace and their income. Look for verified fundraisers specifically supporting employees of the affected businesses. Even small contributions add up when a community rallies together.
Show Up When They Rebuild
Old Town Newhall will rebuild. When these businesses reopen, be there. Patronize them. Bring your family. Tell your neighbors. The strongest message we can send is that Santa Clarita stands with its local businesses through the hardest times and the best.
Support Local First Response Agencies
Our firefighters and first responders put themselves in harm's way to protect our community. Consider supporting organizations that support them and their families.
A Message From Sam
"As a 22-year resident and REALTOR in this community, my heart breaks for Old Town Newhall. The Newhall Refinery and The Main Theatre were not just businesses — they were places where memories were made and where our community came together. Our thoughts are with the owners, employees, and everyone affected by this tragedy. Santa Clarita is resilient. We come together in hard times, and we will help these families and businesses rebuild. That is what we do. That is who we are."
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.
Support the Recovery
Two GoFundMe campaigns are active to help those affected by the fire. Every donation helps the impacted owners, employees, and families begin to rebuild.
Old Town Newhall Will Rebuild
Santa Clarita has faced challenges before, and each time this community has proven its strength. The road ahead for the owners and employees of these businesses will be long. But they are not alone. When one of us hurts, we all hurt — and when one of us rebuilds, we all rebuild together.
In the coming weeks, I will be sharing verified community support efforts and fundraisers on my social media channels. Follow along for updates on how you can help make a difference.
If you are a business owner in the district, an employee who has been impacted, or a community member who wants to organize support, please reach out. I want to help however I can.
Note: This article is a reflection on a community tragedy. The cause of the fire has not been determined and is under investigation by the Los Angeles County Fire Department and relevant authorities. Do not speculate. Verified fundraising and support links will be shared as they become available through official channels. For official updates, follow the City of Santa Clarita and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Sam Silver
U.S. Army Veteran · AI-Certified REALTOR · 22+ Years Experience
Equity Union Real Estate · CalDRE #01412755
Proudly serving Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and all of Southern California.
Need Support or Want to Help?
If you are connected to this tragedy and need assistance, or if you want to coordinate community support efforts, I am here. Service Before Self is not just my motto — it is how I live.
CalDRE #01412755 · Equity Union Real Estate · 25124 Springfield Court Suite 100, Valencia, CA 91355