Flames engulfed a restaurant in San Clemente last night, drawing a massive response from firefighters. The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) reported that the blaze, which started at around 9:34 p.m. within a dining establishment on the 200 block of S. El Camino Real, required more than 50 firefighters to combat. In a concerted effort to quickly control the situation, the crews fought to extinguish the fire which had found its way into void spaces of the building.
According to OCFA PIO's X post, everyone was able to evacuate before firefighters arrived on the scene, and remarkably, no injuries were reported. The intense firefighting operation was part of a two-alarm assignment that prevented the fire from spreading throughout the restaurant.
With fire in a restaurant in the 200 blk. of S. El Camino Real in @CitySanClemente at 9:34 p.m., more than 50 FF’s responded as part of a two-alarm assignment, knocked down the fire that had extended into the void spaces, and prevented it from spreading throughout the restaurant. pic.twitter.com/vYn5wN5Am7
— OCFA PIO (@OCFireAuthority) May 26, 2024
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and authorities are delving into the circumstances that led to the evening's events. In the interim, the OCFA has expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by OCSD San Clemente and Laguna Beach Fire Department in tackling the emergency.
The family-owned restaurant has also been noted for their cooperation, as they shared photos of the incident. “Thank you to the family of the restaurant for sharing their photos,” the OCFA communicated in a gesture acknowledging the collaborative efforts amidst the chaos of the night. Details surrounding the incident continue to unfold, as the community begins to assess and repair the aftermath of the fire.
