Updated: Fire at Papa Joe’s ‘determined to be accidental’
The cause of a Sunday night fire at Papa Joe’s in downtown Cape Coral was determined to be accidental with the point of origin above and around the pizza oven, officials said Monday.
The Cape Coral Fire Department responded to the call of a commercial structure fire at 814 Cape Coral Pkwy E. at 9:27 p.m.
“The first responding unit reported seeing a column of smoke while en route,” a release from the CCFD issued Monday afternoon states. “Upon arrival, moderate grey smoke was seen coming from all vents on the roof and there was limited visibility through the building’s front glass windows. Firefighters shut off the gas and began their initial interior attack through the front of the building. Upon entry it was determined that the fire was located in the rear of the restaurant. Firefighters then began an aggressive interior attack from the rear of the building and were able to fully extinguish the fire in 15-20 minutes.”
Responding units were Ladder 1, Rescue 1, Engine 6, Engine 2, Truck 4, Battalions 1 and 2, and Chief 5. The State Fire Marshal also responded.
“Thanks to the quick and efficient action of our firefighters, we were able to contain the fire to the kitchen area and keep it from spreading to the rest of the structure and to protect the adjacent buildings,” said Battalion Chief Matthew Canham in the statement.
After inspection, the fire was determined to be accidental, officials said, adding neither the pizza oven nor electrical could be eliminated as the source.
The damage is estimated at $250,000, and the restaurant was yellow-tagged by the Building Inspector.
Source: Cape Coral Fire Department
Original post:
The Cape Coral Fire Department is on scene at a commercial structure fire at Papa Joe’s at 814 Cape Coral Parkway, officials said in an alert issued shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday.
Officers with the Cape Coral Police Department are diverting traffic to side streets and warn drivers they can expect delays for the next 2-3 hours.
Drivers are urged to use alternate routes.
No other information was immediately available.
Source: Cape Coral Police Department