A blaze believed to be arson at the China Gourmet restaurant on Highway 9 in Silverthorne caused about $50,000 in fire and smoke damage early this morning, officials say.
Police spotted the fire at 102 Annie Road about 4 a.m. and firefighters quickly responded, according to a Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue news release.
Fire crews found the front and back doors of the restaurant open, the release says.
The China Gourmet “essentially became a large oven with the log walls keeping the heat inside as the fire grew,” Lake Dillon Battalion Chief Travis Davis said in a statement.
“Given the early morning hour, thankfully, there were no occupants and we were able to knock the fire down quickly,” Davis said.
Inspectors believe the fire started in the dining area. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, the news release says.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is assisting by investigating any potential accelerants used.
There is no damage to the outside of the restaurant, the news release said, but there is heavy heat and smoke damage inside estimated at $50,000 in repairs.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
