Laguna Hills Laundromat Fire Set to Cover Burglary, Officials Believe
A Laundromat was heavily damaged in an early morning blaze Thursday that fire investigators believe was deliberately started during a burglary, authorities said.
The Laundromat, in a shopping center at 25381 Alicia Parkway, was owned by Tien Bac Dinh, said Orange County Fire Department spokeswoman Maria Sabol.
Investigators estimated that the blaze caused $175,000 in damage--$125,000 to the contents and $50,000 to the structure.
It took 33 firefighters nearly 30 minutes to control the blaze, which started shortly after 3 a.m., Sabol said.
A fire wall and quick action by firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby businesses, she said. A neighboring jewelry store, dry cleaner and record store sustained smoke damage.
“It could have gone on to the nearby businesses,” Sabol said, adding that the Laundromat didn’t have sprinklers or smoke detectors.
The 800-square-foot Laundromat contained 22 dryers, 45 washers and video and soap machines.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, Sabol said.
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