A five-alarm fire early this morning in Novato's Old Town business district caused at least $350,000 structural damage to four businesses along Grant Avenue, fire officials said.
Forrest Craig, Division Chief of the Novato Fire District, said the fire is believed to have been caused by an appliance, possibly a small refrigerator, at the rear of the Love Your Hair salon at 809 Grant Ave.
Fire damage to the contents of the hair salon, the Golden Egg Omelet House next door and smoke and heat damage to La Bella Vita day spa and
Masa's Sushi Bar is expected to equal or exceed the structural damage estimate, Craig said.
Forty-five fire fighters from Novato, Mill Valley, Ross Valley, Corte Madera and Larkspur responded to the fire that was reported at 2:38 a.m. The fire was controlled at 4:18 a.m.
Crews are still at the scene cleaning up and looking for hot spots. One lane of two-lane Grant Avenue between Reichert and Sherman avenues has been opened to traffic, Craig said.
No injuries were reported.
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Saturday, February 4, 2012
