LAKEPORT — A downtown Lakeport store caught fire early Friday morning, causing significant damage to the historic building.
The cause of the blaze is unknown, but it started in the front half of Penny Lane Emporium, located on the corner of North Main and Third streets, Lakeport Fire Protection District chief Ken Wells said.
Lakeport Police chief Brad Rasmussen said there was “no information of anything suspicious right now.”
The Lakeport Police Department investigated a report of a Molotov cocktail being thrown into the building, but officials deemed the claim was not credible. “There”s just no truth to it,” Rasmussen said.
Many items inside the ground-level Penny Lane Emporium were destroyed. Two law offices located above the store sustained damage.
“It”s a shock,” Lake County judge candidate Michael Lunas, whose legal practice is located in the front part of the second story, said. “I”m just thankful it”s not as bad as it could be.”
Lunas said his space suffered fire, smoke and water damage. The impact to his law practice and his campaign are uncertain, he added.
The Law Offices of Feeney & Feeney operates toward the backside of the second floor. It suffered smoke damage, Lunas said.
Penny Lane Emporium representatives declined to comment Friday morning.
Lunas” mother and uncle own the building, which dates back to the mid-1870s.
The initial fire call came in just before 6 a.m. Friday, and firefighters contained the blaze within an hour, Wells said. No injuries were reported.
“It could have been a lot worse,” Lunas said. “The fire department did a great job stopping it from getting too far in the upper story.”
Fire investigators remained on scene late into the afternoon Friday.
Robert Randy Sutton, whose business is across the street from the store, said, “It”s really, really sad. The building dates back to the late 1800s.”
Two doors down from the charred building, Ron Campos Sr. said he felt “very lucky” the fire didn”t spread to his store, Campos Casuals. “It”s very scary,” he added.
The Kelseyville Fire Protection District, Northshore Fire Protection District, Lake County Sheriff”s Office and Lakeport Public Works also provided assistance, Wells said.
Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com. Follow him on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh.
