No Foul Play in Cristy's Fire; Pizzeria to Be Closed Roughly 1 Week

A cause and origin of Tuesday's one-alarm fire at Cristy's Pizza had yet to be determined as of late Tuesday afternoon, as officials say they need to "tie up loose ends" and continue to review the evidence.

Hampton Fire Prevention Officer Scott Steele said the fire was reported at about 7:05 a.m. Tuesday after a Hampton police officer on a regular patrol noticed smoke and fire coming out of the one-story structure at the corner of Ashworth Avenue and Riverview Terrace.

Steele said firefighters quickly responded and were able to use a single hand line to extinguish the fire, which was confined in the business' kitchen near the pizza ovens, after forcing entry into the 40-foot-by-40-foot structure.

"They did a great job," said Steele of the responding firefighters. "If they weren't as aggressive or thorough, it could've really taken off. I really have to give props to the PD for noticing that this was taking place... The timing was perfect as far as the response goes."

The exact origin of the fire has yet to be determined, although Steele said there is "no suspicion of criminal intent."

Steele said the fire caused more smoke damage than fire damage, which he said is "normal for a smaller fire in nature." He couldn't estimate Tuesday the overall damage to the business or whether the ovens and other equipment had to be replaced, although he said it will likely take at least a week before Cristy's is repaired and back up to health code standards.

ServPro was on the scene Tuesday working to clean and repair parts of the damaged business. The Hampton Building Department was also present at the scene.

The Hampton police and fire departments were the only departments to respond to the fire, said Steele.