Fire Destroys Bath Supply Store in Mission Viejo

Fire destroyed a 1,700-square-foot bath supply store Friday evening, but firefighters managed to keep it from spreading to a neighboring Cost Plus through the shared attic, fire officials said.

An employee at Cost Plus called 911 to report a fire next door, at the Bath Company, about 7:30 p.m., Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Scott Brown said. More than 60 firefighters from 15 engine companies responded to battle the blaze, in the 28300 block of Marguerite Parkway.

“On arrival, there wasn’t anything obvious,” Brown said. “Firefighters went to the rear of the building and noticed a distinct glow in the utility area. They forced entry and there was a fire running in the attic, literally running.”

No one was at the business when the fire started, and the cause remains under investigation, Brown said. Firefighters controlled the blaze by 8:11 p.m.

While Brown said the Bath Company was destroyed, firefighters were able to keep the blaze in that building and prevent it from spreading to the neighboring Cost Plus and a stamp company that also is next to the bath supply.

“Because of the construction of the building, fire spread is a concern,” Brown said. “All those firefighters were put to use.”