Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The fire that destroyed the Blue Coyote restaurant June 9 has been ruled accidental as a result of an electrical malfunction.
Warsaw Fire Department Chief Matt Warren said today that fire officials and insurance adjusters have concurred on the cause of the fire. Warren said a junction box that was in the attic of the structure was found in the rubble of the restaurant. The box was found within a 15-foot radius of a back service door and it showed internal arcing, according to Warren.
Warren said the fire began in the attic space at the north end of the building and "probably burned undetected for quite some time."
A passerby alerted fire officials to the burning restaurant after she spotted smoke rising from the building about 3:12 a.m.
Damage was estimated at $500,000.
