
By Gina Yarbrough
Oceanside, CA–Firefighters contained a commercial structure fire early Wednesday morning at the Regal Cinema in downtown Oceanside.
The Oceanside Fire Department received a call at 10:20 p.m. reporting a fire emerging from a drainage pipe on the front wall of the movie theater.
When crews arrived on the scene they saw flames from the drainage pipe and heavy smoke billowing from the roof.
Crews entered the theater to check for fire extension and ensure the building was clear of occupants. A ladder truck crew was assigned to assess the roof and identify potential ventilation points.
They contained the fire at its point of origin but later discovered an adjacent interior storage room filled with smoke. Investigators determined that the fire had been intentionally set in a plastic drainage pipe on the building’s exterior, which allowed flames to spread inside. Damage to the interior was minimized.
No suspects have been identified, according to the Oceanside Fire Department.