By Terry Miller
A transient man is accused of arson in connection with a fire that damaged a Pasadena restaurant early Wednesday morning.
The blaze broke out just after 4:22 a.m. at Kathleen’s Restaurant, 595 N. Lake Ave., according to the incident report issued by the Fire Department.
Firefighters arrived to find an “exterior fire that extended into the interior and attic.”
“Very sad with restaurants already struggling and then hit with a devastating fire intentionally set,” Lisa Derderian, Pasadena public information officer, said. “Kathleen has been a fixture in Pasadena for many years and treated everyone as if they were her best friends. We hope she can rebuild and get up and running.”
According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, the damage, although significant, isn’t enough to permanently close the establishment. They hope to reopen Friday.
Personnel controlled and confined the fire to a corner of the restaurant, preventing fire extension to the adjacent body shop. The fire was extinguished within 25 minutes as crews worked to overhaul flames within the ceiling and walls. Companies conducted primary and secondary searches for victims finding nobody inside. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is allegedly intentional and under investigation by Investigator 8 and the Pasadena Police Department.
