A three-story east Reading building was heavily damaged in a two-alarm that started within the restaurant on the ground floor Sunday afternoon, the city fire marshal.
The cause of the fire at La Granja Azul, South 19th and Cotton streets, was not being disclosed as the matter remains under investigation, Fire Marshal Jeremy Searfoss said Monday.
The building is the former longtime home of the Coach Light tavern, he said.
The restaurant specializing in Peruvian cuisine was open at the time of the fire, which was initially reported shortly before 12:30 p.m. by 911 callers who saw smoke coming from the back of the building, Searfoss said.
Reading fire crews were assisted by suburban companies, including crews from Mount Penn Fire Company and Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Crews arrived to find fire extending from the kitchen of the upper floors. The apartments on the upper floors were vacant.
Firefighters needed extra personnel to cut open sections of the roof to put out the flames.
Along with extensive repairs that will be needed, Searfoss said investigators noted several code deficiencies that must be remedied before the restaurant can reopen.