Edhat Staff
The historical Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos had to close early Friday night after a kitchen fire.
At 8:07 p.m., Santa Barbara County firefighters arrived with a full structure fire response to 2350 Railway Ave. They found a fire burning in a wall behind the BBQ pit in the kitchen area.
Firefighters breached the wall and extinguished the fire, keeping it contained to that area so it didn’t extend further into the restaurant, said Fire Captain Dave Zaniboni.
The restaurant was evacuated and had closed for the evening while crews mopped up the area.
An investigator was on the scene to determine the cause of the fire.
This entire fire incident is very curious especially in regards to the restaurant failing and the current owner in deep financial trouble. I’ll wager this is going to get a careful look by the arson squad along with insurance investigators.