An early-morning fire ripped through Alfredo's Mexican Food on North Coast Highway in downtown Oceanside today, leaving the longtime beachside staple badly charred and pulling a large emergency response to the busy corridor near Surfrider Way.
The blaze was reported shortly after 4 AM, with the Oceanside Police Department logging the incident at 4:05 AM, according to FOX 5 San Diego. The Oceanside Fire Department said crews arrived within minutes and had the flames contained in about 40 minutes, even as firefighters dealt with downed powerlines and damage to a gas line and meter that complicated their efforts, according to the Oceanside Fire Department.
Investigation underway
As of 6 a.m., fire investigators were still working to determine how the blaze started, FOX 5 San Diego reported. Authorities asked the public to steer clear of the immediate area while crews remained on scene.
What we know about the restaurant
Alfredo's Mexican Food lists its downtown Oceanside address as 602 N. Coast Highway, a go-to spot for early breakfasts and late-night bites. The restaurant's official site includes contact information for the Oceanside location.
Local context
Utility damage and kitchen-area fires can drag out fire suppression and keep restaurants shuttered for weeks or longer. Oceanside saw that play out after a Dec. 23 fire that heavily damaged another downtown eatery, with The Coast News detailing the incident and the slow recovery that followed.
By midmorning, investigators had not released a definitive cause of Wednesday's fire. Authorities said they would share more information as it becomes available.
