Benicia Fire Damages Historic Washington House Complex

BENICIA - A three-alarm fire damaged businesses on both floors of the historic Washington House complex in Benicia Sunday afternoon, Benicia fire officials said.

Firefighters responded at 12:38 p.m. to 333 First St. where they found a fire in the attic of the two-story structure.

Firefighters found it difficult to put out the fire because it was burning in the walls between the businesses of the complex, which has been repurposed over many years and divided into separate spaces, Vallejo Fire Department Engineer Kevin Brown said.

Fire crews called for three alarms because they wanted to try to salvage as much of the merchandise as possible rather than spraying a lot of water on it, Brown said.

He said all of the businesses in the building will be closed and displaced for some time.

The fire was under control at about 1:45 p.m. and firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to two adjacent buildings. No one was injured, Benicia fire officials said.

Kinder's Meats & BBQ restaurant had to close for the day because fire crews had to have power shut off to the 300 block of First Street.

The restaurant will be able to open Monday, according to Brown.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the investigations unit of the Benicia Fire Department.

Fire officials said they do not have an estimate of the damage done by the fire.

-Bay City New; image via Benicia Fire, embed via Vallejo Fire