SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Authorities on Friday were investigating a fire that caused $850,000 in damage to a Denny's restaurant in Pacific Beach after investigators determined it was deliberately set.
Firefighters responded to the blaze at about 12:40 a.m. Thursday at the eatery on the corner of Garnet Avenue and Mission Boulevard, San Diego Fire- Rescue spokeswoman Monica Munoz said.
"The fire was started using an incendiary on combustible materials at the restaurant," Munoz said.
As of 8:40 p.m. Thursday, no arrests had been made and the Metro Arson Strike Team, a partnership between SDFD and the San Diego Police Department, was "still working the case," 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.
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," Kinnamon said.
No injuries were reported.
The blaze caused an estimated $700,000 in damage to the structure and $150,000 in damage to the building's contents, Munoz said.
Metro Arson Strike Team investigators from the fire department attempt to determine the cause of the blaze and police detectives handle the investigation after the cause is determined to be arson.
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