Long Beach staple Casa Sanchez suffered 'significant damage' in early morning fire
No restaurant workers were injured and the fire is under investigation, according to the Long Beach Fire Department.
An early morning fire caused “significant damage” to the longstanding Casa Sanchez Mexican restaurant Thursday.
Firefighters were dispatched to the 2nd-alarm blaze just after 6:50 a.m. and found heavy smoke and fire coming out of the back of the popular Mexican restaurant, according to Long Beach Fire Department Capt. Brian Fisk. The fire was extinguished by 7:11 a.m., Fisk added.
“We did have an open gas leak that was mitigated by the Long Beach Gas Department,” Fisk said, adding that it is unclear if the leak contributed to the fire or was caused by the fire.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation, according to Fisk.
“The business sustained significant damage and will not be open,” Fisk said.
The restaurant has been located on the corner of East Anaheim Street and Termino Avenue for decades and has become a beloved local favorite. Patrons took to social media to lament the destruction:
“So awful,” one user wrote on an Instagram post by Long Beach County.” I love them and everyone that works there.”
Another commenter said the restaurant needs to be a Long Beach “monument” the likes of VIP Records, the Queen Mary and the Spruce Goose Dome.
Commenters on Instagram and Facebook noted how friendly owner Tony Aguirre always is to customers: “The owner is awesome, always greeting us with an “Hola!” in his deep voice,” one person wrote.
Aguirre told reporters Thursday that the fire destroyed the office and bathroom but left the kitchen and dining area largely intact. Aguirre said he is not sure how long the restaurant will be closed or if it will reopen at all.
“I hope everyone is OK and they’re able to repair,” another user wrote on social media.” That’s a LB staple!”
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