Restaurant fire causes $250K in damage

A fire at a decades-old Japanese restaurant in Alameda early Friday morning caused an estimated $250,000 in damage, according to a fire captain.

Firefighters responded at 4:13 a.m. to Kamakura Japanese Restaurant located at 2549 Santa Clara Ave. after receiving reports of heavy smoke and fire, Alameda Fire Capt. Jim Colburn said.

Responding fire crews were able to bring the blaze under control within about 10 minutes of arrival, but not before the restaurant sustained significant fire damage, according to Colburn.

Colburn said:

“The restaurant will need some work before they can open back up for business.”

Kamakura’s owner Akiko “Faith” Yamato said in a statement posted on the restaurant’s website:

“Kamakura will recover and reopen as soon as possible. Thank you so much for all your love and support during this period.”

Fire investigators believe the fire was accidental and started near a dryer at the restaurant, but an official cause has not been determined, according to Colburn.

No injuries were reported.

Two other businesses that share the building sustained minor smoke damage. Colburn said he did not know whether those businesses would be closed.

Yamato, 92, first opened the restaurant in 1981, according to its website.