Cause Of Fire Near Restaurant

Sonora, CA — The Sonora Police Department has determined what caused a small fire yesterday behind the Cocina Michoacana Restaurant on Mono Way.

The fire at 770 Mono Way, was spotted early yesterday morning by a security guard from nearby Sonora Regional Medical Center. It ignited in the walkway area behind the restaurant, and did no structural damage to the building.

The fire did, however, burn a 30 pound bag of cleaning rags from the restaurant, a rubber mat, some plastic containers, a caulking gun, and several grease coated metal items.

Sonora Police Chief Mark Stinson says, “The investigator was able to determine the fire was caused by spontaneous combustion, as a result of the oil soaked folded cloth rags and towels, which were waiting to be picked up by a cleaning service.”

Chief Stinson says there was no foul play. The fire started at 12:08am.