Two-Alarm Blaze Inflicts Heavy Damage on Former Ranchero Restaurant Building

[smooth=id:1874;]

An early morning two-alarm fire Friday caused extensive damage to a building which once housed a popular Mexican restaurant.

Pasadena Fire Dept. units were called to the site of the former Ranchero Mexican Food restaurant at 2663 E. Foothill Blvd. at 3:48 a.m.

Authorities said arriving firefighters found the two-story structure well involved with heavy flames from the rear.

The building was vacant and being renovated, according to Fire Dept. officials.

It took over two dozen firefighters from Arcadia, San Marino and Pasadena Fire Depts. about 57 minutes to knock down the blaze.

There were no reported injuries.

Pasadena police assisted with traffic control and the Pasadena Power Department confirmed power to the structure and damaged power lines were de-energized during the incident.

No cause for the fire has been released by authorities, who report that an arson investigator was called to the scene.