$3.5-Million Fire Hits Encino Mall, Shuts Ventura Boulevard

A fire raced through an Encino mall Wednesday, causing $3.5 million in damage, destroying most of the 28 small businesses there and closing busy Ventura Boulevard for 10 hours.

The blaze, which originated in the center of the U-shaped Capri East shopping plaza in the 15900 block of Ventura Boulevard, spread quickly to both wings of the building, authorities said. Its cause was not immediately determined, and fire officials declared the building a total loss.

But more than the structures, the fire devastated the tenants of the center--several independent business owners who have struggled for years to build up a clientele.

“All the tenants are very close to each other,” said leasing manager Ruth Stern. “I would call it a family, really.”

Most of the businesses lost were small and family-run--a hot dog restaurant, a yogurt shop, a one-hour photo franchise, a children’s dance school among them.

The two-story mall, constructed in a country French architectural style with an open courtyard, was a favorite gathering place for neighborhood residents and office workers.

“It was a quaint atmosphere,” said Mimi Landers, who works at an employment agency about a block away. “It is a big loss for the neighborhood.”

One firefighter was injured when a piece of the heavy tile roof slipped off and struck him in the face.