The Press Cafe catches fire Monday night
Repairs will need to be made before it can reopen
A Yuma restaurant was severely damaged by smoke and heat from a fire on Monday night, and will have to make some repairs made before it can reopen, according to the Yuma Fire Department.
Just after 8 p.m. a fire was reported at The Press Café and Bistro, 121 East 24th Street. When firefighters first arrived on scene they found heavy smoke and heat in the building, coming from the kitchen and rear storage room area.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, ventilated the building, and ensured the fire had not spread.
A small section of 24th Street was closed down by the Yuma Police Department during firefighting operations, but it reopened to normal traffic in about an hour.
Fire investigators determined the fire started in rags used for cleaning that had self-heated, igniting the fire.
There were no injuries and the business was not open or occupied at the time of the fire. The business was not equipped with a fire suppression sprinkler system.
The Press Cafe & Bistro has posted the following message on its Facebook page.
“Tonight we had a fire at the restaurant. The damage is extensive and we will be closed until further notice. We will post here and on instagram to keep the Yuma community updated. Please keep us in your thoughts. -Tara, Shaun, and everyone at The Press”
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 5396854. Find him on Facebook at www. Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.