Fire Damages Restaurant In Oceanside

OCEANSIDE, CA — A fire damaged a small restaurant in Oceanside, authorities said Wednesday.

Firefighters responded around 6:10 p.m. Tuesday to a blaze at Bread & Cheese Eatery at 1904 South Coast Highway, according to the Oceanside Fire Department. Officials said within three minutes of dispatch they encountered heavy, dark smoke with limited visibility inside the restaurant.

"Firefighters immediately advanced a hose line to conduct an interior search and fire suppression operations. Interior crews located the seat of the fire in the rear portion of the restaurant," the department said in a statement. "Simultaneously, two truck companies coordinated roof operations to provide vertical ventilation. This effort significantly improved interior conditions by reducing heat and smoke, allowing crews to safely and effectively continue fire attack and search operations."

The fire was knocked down and under control within 40 minutes of arrival. Crews prevented the blaze from spreading to adjoining businesses throughout the commercial strip mall, officials said.

A total of 39 firefighting personnel and one fire investigator were assigned to the blaze, including eight engines, two ladder trucks and one ambulance.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.