Fire destroys most of Giuseppe’s restaurant in Pismo Beach

Investigators say it was accidental and caused by an appliance. The fire which broke out in the Price Street restaurant around 2 in the morning is a big shock to the community. It's been a place of many great memories for decades.  

Tears, shock and disbelief after flames ripped through Giuseppe's Cucina Italiana.

"Pretty devastating as you can see, dining room, bars all gone," said family friend and business partner, Victor Vacanti.

Police and firefighters arrived on scene just after 2:15 Saturday morning.

"At that point the front windows collapsed inward, and the entire front section of the building flashed over," said Battalion Chief, Tom McEwen of Cal Fire.

The front half of the building where the dining room and bar used to be is completely destroyed. Chairs and tables are charred.

The fire was contained within half an hour, according to officials, and the Pismo Beach Police and the Pismo Beach Public Works Department were on scene to close the streets near the restaurant and direct traffic. Streets were closed for about six hours. 

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The restaurant, which has been a popular establishment in Pismo Beach since the late 1980s, is split into two sections — a dining room and hosting area. 

Byrnes said the dining room sustained the most damage. 

"The original building was bought in the 1920s, and that's the side of the building that took a really large hit," said Byrnes.

"The kitchen, which was added on in the early ’90s, sustained some smoke damage, but it didn't take as big of a hit as the dining area," said Byrnes. "The dining area took the hardest hit." 

Byrnes added: "This restaurant is the family's livelihood, and they have another restaurant in San Luis Obispo going through remodeling that won't be open until months from now, so this is really tough for them."