PUBLIC SAFTEY Morning fire damages, closes Costa...

PUBLIC SAFTEY

Morning fire damages, closes

Costa Mesa businesses

Six businesses on East 17th Street will be closed for several

weeks after a two-alarm fire early Friday morning left them with

smoke and water damage. Firefighters were still investigating the

cause of the blaze that began in Regal Beauty Supply, a few minutes

past midnight. Employees working late two doors down in French’s

Cupcake Bakery noticed smoke and called 911, Costa Mesa Fire

Department Battalion Chief Scott Broussard said.

The blaze started at the floor level and climbed a wall in the

beauty supply store, sending smoke into ceilings of adjacent

businesses and a common attic, Broussard said. Regal Beauty Supply,

French’s bakery, Ritz Nails, $3 Tan, Caliente Southwest Express

restaurant and Mesa Dental Center are all temporarily closed.

Firefighters from Costa Mesa and Newport Beach were able to put

out the blaze in 20 minutes. Initial estimates from the Costa Mesa

Fire Department put the damage from the fire at more than $500,000 in

lost property and $1 million in building damage.