Fire at Irvine Strip Mall Causes $300,000 in Damage

Flames shot up from the roof of the Orange Tree Plaza here Wednesday, forcing about 70 startled workers and customers to evacuate restaurants and businesses in the strip mall.

The 40-minute fire, which caused minor injuries to two firefighters, began in the attic of an unoccupied corner suite that was being remodeled, Orange County fire officials said. It took 70 firefighters to battle the blaze.

Fire investigators speculate the fire was caused by a short in that suite’s wiring. Damage to the building was estimated at $300,000.

A chute of smoke rose as the blaze ate through the mall’s metal and wood roof framework and spread to all 10 businesses.

But the fire never made it inside the suites, said Capt. Dan Young of the Orange County Fire Authority.

“It looked horrendous, but it wasn’t really that bad,” he said. “This thing looked like it was roaring when I drove in. I wondered how it got so big so fast.”

People inside the mall noticed nothing at first, but began evacuating when an employee from the nearby Lucky’s supermarket rushed over to alert them that flames were rising 10 feet above the buildings.

“We didn’t even smell smoke,” said Kim Mai, a manicurist at a salon in the portion of the mall that sustained the most damage.

Karin Volkmann, an administrator at the dentist’s office next door to where the fire started, said she was frightened.

“When you walk out and see all those flames and a piece of wood fall into your entryway, it’s kind of unnerving,” she said.

Dr. Sue Michaels, an optometrist who recently set up shop in the mall, lamented the effect the fire had on her practice.

“We just bought this place,” she said. “My name isn’t even on the door yet.”