Cause Of Fire At Temecula's Blackbird Tavern Remains Under Investigation

A small fire that damaged Blackbird Tavern in Old Town Temecula is under investigation today, a Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman is reporting.

The blaze was reported at 1:47 p.m. Friday on an unpermitted patio at the bar and eatery located at 41958 5th Street, according to Cal Fire’s Melody Hendrickson.

Initial evacuation of the establishment was ordered by the sheriff’s department and a total of six people  -- four of which were Blackbird employees -- were told to leave, Hendrickson reported.

“Half of the establishment will be able to remain open. The burned section will have to go through the city building department for permits prior to being re-opened,” Hendrickson continued. “The loss was estimated at approximately $10,000 with an estimated save of $700,000.”

There were no injuries reported.

“We thank you all for the out pouring of concern ... It means the world to us,” read a post on Blackbird’s Facebook page.

Hendrickson said the cause of the blaze is under investigation, but the Facebook post from Blackbird inferred smokers caused the fire.

“Apparently, people smoking on the outside of our restaurant had flicked cigarettes into a pile of empty cans of paint and stain.”

The post continued, “The restaurant itself was not damaged nor was anyone injured.”