Fort Wayne Fire Department: Fire at former Hooters was an accident

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – UPDATE: According to the Fort Wayne Fire Department's report, the fire at the vacant restaurant on Monday night was accidental.

The report states the fire was caused by a worker removing a kitchen appliance with a heating device.

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A representative for the company that owns the former Hooters restaurant property has confirmed that recent renovations had taken place inside the building destroyed by fire Monday night.

A fire investigator was on the scene of the charred restaurant most of the day Tuesday according to Chris Mounsey, assistant chief for the Fort Wayne Fire Department.

Officials have not released information about what caused the fire.

Passersby and people who worked in the area reported recent activity at the building to NewsChannel 15. 

According to an employee of the BP gas station across the street, workers were seen removing materials and signage from inside the building during the past week.  The gas station employee had an opportunity to ask a crew member about the renovations and said she was told an urgent medical care facility was slated as a future tenant.

DAAL Realty, also connected with Azar Inc. is listed as the owner for 920 E. Coliseum Blvd.  A search of tax records revealed property taxes due in November have not been paid.  A total of $12,026.85 is owed which includes a penalty fee.

The restaurant abruptly closed its doors for good on Memorial Day of 2012.

Firefighters were called to the scene around 6:35 p.m. Monday and found large flames coming from the roof of the building.

PHOTOS: Fire at former Hooters

"We attempted to make an interior attack, but the fire had already grown to level that we were unable to continue with that and we switched to an exterior attack," said Chris Mounsey, the Assistant Chief of the Fort Wayne Fire Department.

No one was inside and no one was hurt.