Three people escaped unharmed Thursday from an arson fire that caused an estimated $850,000 in damage at a restaurant in Pacific Beach.
Firefighters responded to the blaze at about 12:40 a.m. at the Denny’s restaurant on the corner of Garnet Avenue and Mission Boulevard, San Diego Fire-Rescue spokeswoman Monica Munoz said.
Firefighters arrived and found heavy smoke in the restaurant as well as fire in the roof and attic area above the kitchen, Munoz said.
Crews were able to knock down the flames around 35 minutes after arrival, Munoz said.
Two employees and a customer were inside the restaurant when the fire began, SDFD Battalion Chief Ed Kinnamon said. “As soon as the smoke started, they all got out of the restaurant,” he said, adding that no one was injured.
Munoz said the fire was started using an incendiary on combustible materials at the restaurant and the Metro Arson Strike Team is investigating. No arrests had been made as of Thursday night.
The blaze caused an estimated $700,000 in damage to the structure and $150,000 in damage to the building’s contents, Munoz said.
The restaurant is closed until the officials can complete an inspection.
— City News Service