Fire caused major damage to a restaurant in Old Town Goleta early Thursday, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
Firefighters responded at about 3:15 a.m. to the blaze at Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant at 254 Orange Ave., said fire Capt. Daniel Bertucelli.
The first crews on scene saw flames and heavy smoke coming from the longtime local business, he said.
Firefighters pulled hose lines and began an aggressive attack on the flames, Bertucelli said, while others cut ventilation holes in the roof.
They also searched the area for potential victims, and no injuries were reported.
Cause of the fire remained under investigation Thursday morning.
Pepe’s, which opened its doors in 1958, bills itself as Goleta’s longest-running Mexican restaurant.
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