Blaze at Fabric Shop Under Investigation

Fire investigators sorted through the ash and debris in the top floor and attic of Beverly Fabrics on East Main Street in Ventura on Friday for signs of what ignited a fire that caused an estimated $75,000 in damage just after midnight.

About 40 Ventura County and city firefighters contained the blaze that started in a top corner of the building at 340 E. Main St., said Ventura City Fire Battalion Chief Kevin Rennie.

Investigators were looking into the possibility that the fire was started by faulty wiring, Rennie said.

The fire departments were alerted after a guard at the Metro Nite Club across the street noticed smoke coming off the building.

Six engine companies, two truck companies and four fire chiefs responded to the three-alarm blaze, officials said.

The fire was put out within 20 minutes.

Fire officials said that if the fire had spread to the fabric in the store, the damage would have been much worse.

“It was really fortunate that the fire didn’t spread because there was a lot of fuel in there,” Rennie said.

The fire caused about $50,000 damage to the building and about $25,000 damage to the contents, officials said.