VENTURA : Cafe Diners Continue Eating Despite Fire

An electrical fire in a Ventura cafe Sunday caused $1,000 damage and surprised breakfast customers, the restaurant owner and fire officials said.

A water line in a swamp cooler on the roof of the Hill Street Cafe, 1050 S. Hill Road, broke about 9:20 a.m., causing the unit’s fan motor to short out and ignite a small blaze, investigators said.

The owner of the cafe said the distraction of firemen in and around the restaurant was more of a spectacle than the fire itself. No evacuations were necessary.

“There was no smoke and no actual flames, just a little electrical smell,” said Rae Stevens. “We had quite a few customers ask once they saw the firemen come in, but they still came and they still ate and everything was fine.”