SAN DIEGO --
A restaurant that once played a role in an infamous San Diego County murder case caught fire and burned to the ground early Friday morning.
Images: The Van Dam Murder CaseWatch VideoImages: Danielle Van Dam
The blaze destroyed Pride of San Diego Family Restaurant at 12735 Poway Road. It was reported at about 2:40 a.m., according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
Heavy smoke was billowing from the back of the structure when firefighters arrived. More than 35 firefighters poured water into the building from the ground and from above, using hook-and-ladder rigs. They prevented the fire from spreading to nearby structures and brought the blaze under control by 4:30 a.m.
The restaurant had operated in Poway for many years under several owners and with several different names. At one time it was known as Dad's Café and made news during the murder trial of David Westerfield, who is currently on death row for the abduction and murder of Danielle van Dam. Westerfield and Danielle's mother, Brenda, were seen dancing together at the restaurant several hours before Westerfield kidnapped the 7-year-old girl from her second-floor bedroom.
The business was recently purchased by an East County family. They celebrated its grand opening on July 21.
No one was injured in the fire.
The cause is under investigation.
Previous Stories:
- January 4, 2003: Judge Sentences Westerfield To Death
- August 22, 2002: Westerfield Guilty On All Counts
- August 7, 2002: Westerfield Defense: No Direct Evidence
- August 6, 2002: Prosecutor Says Westerfield Is 'Guilty To The Core'
- July 9, 2002: Bar Patron: Westerfield, Brenda Van Dam Were 'Dirty-Dancing'
- June 26, 2002: Westerfield Jury Shown Violent Pornographic Images
- June 19, 2002: Photos Of Danielle's Body Sicken Juror
- June 7, 2002: Brenda Van Dam Grilled About Lifestyle
- June 6, 2002: Danielle's Father: Sex Life, Drug Use 'Irrelevant'
- June 5, 2002: Defense Attacks Van Dam Lifestyle, Forensic Evidence
- June 5, 2002: Prosecutor Lays Out Case Against Westerfield
- May 7, 2002: Prosecutors Believe Danielle Was Suffocated
- May 7, 2002: Motions: Danielle's Hair Found In Motorhome
- February 26, 2002: Westerfield pleads not guilty
- February 22, 2002: Police say neighbor kidnapped Danielle
