Investigators suspect arson in an overnight fire at a popular Pacific Beach restaurant, the second at the establishment in two years.
The fire ignited at a popular Pacific Beach restaurant overnight while employees and customers were still inside.
The typically busy Denny's restaurant on the corner of Garnet Avenue and Mission Boulevard, which is open for 24 hours, had two employees and one customer inside when the fire erupted just after 12:30 a.m. Thursday.
Firefighters were able to get everyone out safely and knock down flames within 15 minutes of arrival, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department said.
An investigation into the source of the fire led SDFD detectives to determine the fire was intentionally set. The case has been turned over to SDPD, fire spokesperson Monica Munoz said.
No arrests have been made.
The fire was believed to be started by someone lighting combustible materials at the restaurant, Munoz said.
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SDFD early reports said the fire started in the kitchen area. The blaze spread through the restaurant's walls and into the attic, making it challenging for crews to find the source of the fire, SDFD Battalion Chief Ed Kinnamon said.
It is the second fire to erupt at the Denny's location within two years. In January 2017, ten people were forced to evacuate when a fire sparked in the kitchen.
San Diego County health officials were notified and would need to inspect the restaurant before it could reopen for business. There was no estimated reopen date.
