VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The fire at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront that left several businesses destroyed earlier this month was accidental, officials said on Tuesday.
While the direct cause of the fire hasn't been determined, the origin was found to be within the void space just below the roof of the building, which runs the whole length of the structure, according to the Virginia Beach Fire Department (VBFD).
"I would venture to say a lot of the younger firefighters learned quite a bit at this fire for how difficult it was," said Captain Jim Ingledue, Virginia Beach Fire Department. "The fire went above the ceiling, but below the roof, it's a very difficult fire for any department to fight."
The fire on July 11 badly damaged the T-Shirt Factory, the Maple Tree Pancake & Waffle House, King of the Sea Restaurant, and Lyfestyle Meals. All occupants were accounted for and safe, but the severity of the damage is hitting businesses hard.
"It's always going to be in my mind, for why this happened," said Androulla Lindroos, the owner of the Maple Tree Pancake House.
Lindroos is just one of the local business owners who lost her restaurant to the flames. She plans on rebuilding her business as close to the original as possible, and to be open by next spring.
Ingledue said there are several theories as to why the fire occurred, but investigators cannot prove anything. The determination of the fire's origin was reached in a joint effort with insurance investigators.
"The direct cause of the incident is undetermined and is being classified as accidental. Clean-up and future plans for the site are the direct responsibility of the property owners," the VBFD wrote in a news release.