Turkish Restaurant Fire In DC Could Be Tied To Hate Graffiti

WASHINGTON, DC — D.C. fire officials are investigating whether a fire at a new Turkish restaurant in Dupont Circle is related to hate graffiti found on the restaurant while it was under construction earlier this summer.

The fire started at Cafe Istanbul after 4 a.m. on Aug. 4 and appeared to have damaged only the exterior of the restaurant, possibly indicating it started outside. Fire officials say the cause of the fire is still undetermined and is under investigation.

"Quick response and call for additional resources minimized extension to the interior of the structure," D.C. Fire and EMS said in a tweet last Wednesday.

While the restaurant, located at 21st and P streets, NW, was under construction in June, it was targeted twice with graffiti saying “F*** Turkey” and depicting a Nazi swastika, News4’s Jackie Bensen reported last weekend.

The owner of Cafe Istanbul provided law enforcement with a picture of one of the graffiti messages he found outside the restaurant on June 14.

The cafe had been busy during the first two weeks it was open, but is now temporarily closed as the fire damage is repaired, the owner told News4. The space had been previously occupied by DC Cafe, a Mediterranean restaurant that closed in May.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a national Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, on Tuesday called for an investigation into a possible bias motive for the fire. CAIR noted Cafe Istanbul was previously targeted with hate graffiti. Fire investigators are seeking security camera footage from nearby buildings.

“The hate vandalism that came before this fire began is enough to investigate with a possible bias motive in mind," CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw said in a statement Tuesday. "We urge law enforcement authorities to examine all security camera video from nearby buildings. This incident must be treated with the seriousness it deserves.”

Anyone who has knowledge of the fire should call police at 202-727-9099, or text a tip to the MPD at 50411, or call D.C. Fire and EMS at 202-673-3320.