Fire Causes $400,000 in Damage at Market
Fire caused an estimated $400,000 in damage to a Fillmore meat market and adjoining Mexican food cafe, officials said Friday.
The fire started about 10:45 p.m. Thursday at Caporales at 151 Ventura St., just off California 126. It burned for more than 15 minutes before emergency crews were called, Fillmore Fire Chief Pat Askren said.
The market is owned by the Macias family of four, who live in a small apartment above the business. A family member called a business number for the Fire Department upon seeing smoke, officials said.
After not reaching anyone, the family member called a business number for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department in Fillmore and was directed to hang up and dial 911, Askren said.
“It had been burning for quite awhile,” Askren said. “When we arrived it was fully involved and flames were blowing out the side walls.”
The fire started in a meat-cutting area inside the store where there are several appliances. The cause of the blaze is under investigation, but Askren said it is not suspicious in origin.
The Macias family is staying with local relatives.
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