Fire Destroys Pizzamania in Whittier

WHITTIER (CNS) - Investigators say Thursday they suspect arson is the possible cause of a fire in a strip mall in Whittier that destroyed Pizzamania, a staple in the community that just celebrated its 50th anniversary.

The pizza place served customers in the Whittier community for more than half a century and went up in flames with four other businesses on Tuesday.

"When deputies arrived, they saw the building was engulfed in flames and the fire had quickly spread from the business of origin to the remainder of the strip mall to include four other businesses," Lt. Brian Sirkel told the Whittier Daily News, noting the fire's `suspicious' origin not related to extreme heat or weather conditions.

Sheriff's Sgt. Joseph Kim said there is footage of a suspect wearing dark clothing who approached the front of Pizzamania carrying two containers. Investigators suspect the containers had gas in them, according to the Whittier Daily News.

The video shows the person walking out of the view of the camera. Shortly thereafter, the fire started, sheriff's officials said.

There were no injuries reported. People in the community visited the site of the fire Wednesday.

"I know that a lot of people in the community are hurting right now," Whittier resident Vannessa Larios told the Whittier Daily News adding many workers around the area go to Pizzamania for lunch during the week. "So it's definitely something that's hit everybody very hard."

The fire gutted five units in the strip mall in Whittier. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigators said arson is a possible cause of the fire that also damaged El Camino Family Restaurant, a liquor store and the Party Warehouse Discount Party Center.

Firefighters arrived on scene at 2:28 a.m. Tuesday and knocked the fire down by 5:30 a.m., but by then the fire had caused "major" damage to five units at the strip mall, Luis Garcia, L.A. County fire spokesperson, told the Whittier Daily News.

"Early this morning, a fire tore through five businesses in a strip mall on Telegraph Road in South Whittier, including Pizzamania -- a beloved institution in this community for 50 years. LA County Firefighters responded quickly, but the restaurant is almost completely destroyed," L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement Tuesday.

"I know that both the business owners and the employees alike are facing a very difficult time in the wake of this fire and I will be directing @EconOppLA and @LACountyDCBAto connect these workers and businesses so that we can offer any help and support we can," she added.