VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — VBFD says its fire investigators, along with insurance investigators, have finished looking into the 3-alarm fire that destroyed three Oceanfront businesses.
Officials began investigating the fire, which broke out in the area of 27th and Atlantic on July 11, shortly after firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Crews believe the fire started around 5:15 p.m., and it took over five hours of work from more than 75 firefighters to extinguish it.
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Authorities reached the following conclusions after investigating, VBFD said: the fire started in a void space just below the roof of the structure, and the direct cause of the incident is undetermined.
During the investigation Captain Jim Ingledue said the department looked into several theories including aging wiring and construction work being done on site.
"They're just pain opinions that we cannot rule out. Nor can we rule it in. But we are very confident that it was an accidental fire, that nobody intentionally set this fire," said Captain Ingledue.
The structure was shared by three businesses: the T-Shirt Factory, Maple Tree Pancake & Waffle House and the King of the Sea restaurant. The department said the void space where the fire started ran the whole length of the structure. Therefore, investigators ruled out the possibility that the fire started at one of the three businesses, according to VBFD.
Additionally, officials said while the direct cause is undetermined, they classified the fire as accidental. VBFD said reaching these conclusions marks the end of the investigation.
Captain Ingledue added that the investigation posed a challenge due to the extent of the damage.
"We brought in the heavy machinery and started breaking down the walls and taking down what was left of the roof. Obviously, that's very detrimental to a fire investigation. However, the first priority is to get the fire out," said Captain Ingledue.
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Environmental and health risks on the property were also checked out, Captain Ingledue said.
"As it sits right now, I think it is safe as long as people stay outside the barrier. However, this is a resort city and I think everyone would like to see it cleaned up as soon as possible," said Captain Ingledue.
Officials shared that property owners are responsible for the clean-up and future plans for the site.
News 3 previously spoke with the owner of the Vakos Development Company, Matthew Vakos, which owns the now-destroyed property and building. At the time, he called the loss of the structure a “piece of broken history.”
Owners who lost their businesses in the fire also expressed their grief: Maria Lindroos, whose parents ran Maple Tree Pancake & Waffle House before it was destroyed, said the restaurant was an integral part of her family’s lives for decades.
"This was a devastation to my family. This is what my parents do every day. This is their one and only business," Maria told us.
The Vakos Development Company hasn’t shared any future plans for the area yet.
Stay with News 3 for updates.
