By Theresa-Marie Wilson ~
A fire destroyed a popular Italian restaurant in Pismo Beach on Saturday. Fire crews responded at about 2:15 a.m. to Giuseppe’s Cucina Italiana, 891 Price St., where at least a million dollars worth of damages were reported.
Fire personnel responded after an employee, who lives above the restaurant, reported seeing smoke. Cal Fire Batalion Chief Paul Lee said the fire was accidental and was caused by an appliance.
The front half of the building where the bar and adjacent dining room used to be are a charred space today.
“It was close to the cause of the fire and it was an open space for dining with no walls or closed doors,” said Lee.
Eleven fire units responded with 45 firefighters and the fire was contained in one hour with full control in seven hours, according to Lee.
Facebook was filled with local posts from customers expressing their sorrow for the restaurant owners and employees. Many comments asked for the owners to rebuild what was once their favorite restaurant.
“So devastating! I love Guiseppie’s,” posted Victoria O’Toole of Arroyo Grande “Tonight would have been one of those nights, that we would of gone to a great dinner there. We are heart- broken.”
Crews from both Cal Fire and the Five Cities Fire Authority battled the blaze.
Giuseppe “Joe” DiFronzo opened the restaurant in 1988 and later opened Giuseppe’s Express, also in Pismo Beach, and Palazzo Giuseppe’s in San Luis Obispo.
Photos by Justin Stoner
