The blaze was reported shortly before noon at the empty Cafe Firenze at 563 Los Angeles Ave., said Capt. Brian McGrath of the Ventura County Fire Department. The site is in a strip mall east of Shasta Avenue.
The fire impacted some contents in the building, McGrath said. A sprinkler system put the main fire out. There was no extension to the attic or structure.
Some businesses in the strip mall were evacuated as a precaution, officials said. No injuries were reported.
Cafe Firenze was co-founded in 2007 by Fabio Viviani, a celebrity chef who was a fan favorite on the fifth season of “Top Chef.” When the 10,000-square-foot restaurant closed in early 2020, Viviani described it as his first restaurant and first love.
The county fire agency is investigating the fire’s cause along with sheriff’s officials, McGrath said.
