Around 10:30p.m. on July 23rd, Metro Fire crews were dispatched to the 2700 block of El Camino Avenue in the Arden area for smoke from a building. First arriving crews reported heavy smoke from a FlapJacks restaurant in a commercial strip mall.

Firefighters immediately began to force entry into the building, where they located a smoldering fire in the kitchen, which had spread to the false roof/attic area. The location of the fire created significant challenges for crews. Truck companies, both on the roof and inside the structure, coordinated closely with engine companies so the seat of the fire could be located and extinguished, while protecting adjacent businesses.

A second alarm was requested, bringing total units assigned to nine engines, six trucks, three medics, and multiple chief officers. With clear objectives, the more than 60 firefighters on scene contained the fire to the kitchen and false roof/attic area of FlapJacks, saving all other units in the strip mall. No firefighters or civilian injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.