Suspicious Fire Under Investigation By Santa Cruz Firefighters

SANTA CRUZ, CA — The Santa Cruz Fire Department is investigating a suspicious fire reported late Saturday night at a business off of Soquel Avenue.

Multiple callers reported a fire around 11:20 p.m. at 1126 Soquel Ave., the location of Midtown Surf Shop. Twenty-four firefighters from the Santa Cruz and Central fire agencies responded to the scene and controlled the fire within 20 minutes, according to a news release from the fire department.

The first firefighters on scene discovered the fire was burning in the back of the business, but had possibly spread inside. Heavy smoke was inside and a fire was burning in a rear storage area, firefighters said.

The blaze caused $40,000 in damages.

Firefighters prevented an estimated $2.1 million in damages from occurring, as most inventory was saved. There were no people inside and no injuries reported in the fire.

Firefighters began an investigation and found indications that the cause of the blaze may have been suspicious, firefighters said.

Anyone who sees fire activity is urged to call 911.