Fire burns through Fresno Mexican restaurant’s kitchen, roof. Firefighters seek cause

A kitchen fire damaged a central Fresno restaurant overnight Tuesday, the Fresno Fire Department said.

The fire was reported about 3:30 a.m. at Zamora’s Carnitas Restaurant, which was closed at the time, after the alarm company reported it in the building on Fresno Street north of the Highway 180 overpass, according to Jonathan Lopez, the department’s spokesperson.

The flames came from the kitchen and was already through the roof as first responders arrived to knock down the fire, he said.

The windows and doors to the restaurant had bars that made it difficult for firefighters to get inside and fight flames safely, Lopez said.

No injuries were reported. A pile of burnt debris from the roof could be seen on the ground near the Mexican restaurant on Tuesday morning.

The investigation into what started the fire is ongoing, Lopez said.

Five engines and two ladder trucks arrived, which is standard for a commercial fire, he said. Thirty-six firefighters were on scene.

Attempts to speak with a representative of the business were unsuccessful Tuesday morning.