Fire scorches Perko's in Willits
By TIFFANY REVELLE The Daily Journal
Updated: 09/29/2009 12:00:13 AM PDT
Fire ignited about three hours after closing time in the kitchen of Perko's Cafe in Willits, according to Little Lake Fire Protection District Chief Jim Robertson.
The restaurant closed at 10:45 p.m. Sunday and a passer-by who saw the flames called 9-1-1 at 1:42 a.m. (Monday). LLFPD firefighters were at the scene two minutes later, Robertson said.
"When we arrived the building was heavily charged with smoke," Robertson said.
Flames were visible in the back of the building and on roof, where the fire was coming up through a vent over one of the restaurant's stoves.
"We forced the door and the whole kitchen area was fully involved, from the ceiling to the floor," Robertson said.
The district sent two engines and a 100-foot aerial ladder truck. Crews used the ladder to spray the fire through the vent in the roof while firefighters on the ground attacked the blaze through the back of the building.
At least nine volunteers in two fire engines fought the fire. The Brooktrails Fire Department and Laytonville Fire Department each sent one engine, and Cal Fire sent two engines later in the morning.
The fire was contained by 3 a.m. and out by 5 a.m., according to Robertson.
He said the fire started in the kitchen, and appeared to have been centered above one of the stoves. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
"It looks accidental," Robertson said. "At this point in time, we don't find any evidence of foul play."
He estimated the damage at $300,000. The blaze left the building structurally intact, but caused smoke and heat damage throughout, as well as roof damage, according to Robertson.
By TIFFANY REVELLE The Daily Journal
Updated: 09/29/2009 12:00:13 AM PDT
Fire ignited about three hours after closing time in the kitchen of Perko's Cafe in Willits, according to Little Lake Fire Protection District Chief Jim Robertson.
The restaurant closed at 10:45 p.m. Sunday and a passer-by who saw the flames called 9-1-1 at 1:42 a.m. (Monday). LLFPD firefighters were at the scene two minutes later, Robertson said.
"When we arrived the building was heavily charged with smoke," Robertson said.
Flames were visible in the back of the building and on roof, where the fire was coming up through a vent over one of the restaurant's stoves.
"We forced the door and the whole kitchen area was fully involved, from the ceiling to the floor," Robertson said.
The district sent two engines and a 100-foot aerial ladder truck. Crews used the ladder to spray the fire through the vent in the roof while firefighters on the ground attacked the blaze through the back of the building.
At least nine volunteers in two fire engines fought the fire. The Brooktrails Fire Department and Laytonville Fire Department each sent one engine, and Cal Fire sent two engines later in the morning.
The fire was contained by 3 a.m. and out by 5 a.m., according to Robertson.
He said the fire started in the kitchen, and appeared to have been centered above one of the stoves. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
"It looks accidental," Robertson said. "At this point in time, we don't find any evidence of foul play."
He estimated the damage at $300,000. The blaze left the building structurally intact, but caused smoke and heat damage throughout, as well as roof damage, according to Robertson.
