Arson Not Suspected In Restaurant Fire

Sonora, CA — According to CAL FIRE Fire Prevention Bureau Battalion Chief Dennis Townsend arson was not a factor in the Saturday evening, Sunday morning fire that completely destroyed the Cocina Michoacana Restaurant on Mono Way.

Townsend states that the initial investigation indicates it took the firefighters quite a bit of time to remove the tin from the roof so access could be gained to the point of origin.

Townsend adds the fire started somewhere in the food preparation area either in the ceiling or the space below the upper storage area. The fire then spread to the dining room.

The investigation was halted at that point because there is no indication that arson was the cause of the fire. Townsend is hoping to gain access to the property to complete the investigation today after insurance investigators complete their work.

While the walls are still standing, Townsend has declared the structure a total loss.

The fire caused an estimated $500,000 in damage to the structure and another $100,000 to the contents.

Written by Bill Johnson