The cause of a devastating fire at Mike’s Place Restaurant in Chatham has been deemed accidental.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service said investigators have determined that the fire at the Queen Street restaurant was caused by an electrical issue within the building, and that there is no evidence of criminal activity.
Firefighters responded to the blaze early Tuesday morning at around 2 a.m. to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the building. While the fire resulted in significant damage to the business, no injuries were reported.
CK police, Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue, and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office have completed their examination of the scene, and the investigation is now considered complete.
Damage from the fire is estimated at around $1 million.
The restaurant’s owners posted on social media early Tuesday morning that Mike’s Place will remain closed until they are able to rebuild.