SEATTLE — Marcos Cardena led us inside his Cucina Esperanza or "Hope Kitchen." He says he was working late last night when he thought someone had thrown a rock through his window. But then he saw the flames.
"I looked at it from there," Cardena said. "And the fire was big all ready. I started running because I started to get water but it was too late, so I said, 'No, I'm wasting my time'."
After Seattle firefighters put out the fire, KIRO 7 News writer Greg Johndrow happened by and took some video of the scene. He later learned the fire had been set.
"I certainly hope they're able to catch whoever is responsible," Johndrow said. "But it doesn't look like there are any cameras around or anything."
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Investigators told the owner of Caffé Fiore someone used newspapers to set the fire outside. There are several news boxes nearby and the front panels of the boxes are melted. All day customers have come by, unaware of the news.
"It's my favorite organic coffee house," Joyce Wood said. "It saddens me."
It was sad new too a many King County Metro bus drivers because the coffeeshop is one of their so-called “comfort stops.”
"I don't understand why somebody would want to tear somebody else's stuff up," said Reuben Whiten, a Metro bus driver for two years. "Especially a nice coffee shop like that."
Deming Maclise, who owns the coffee shop and the building doesn't understand it either.
Maclise said he would definitely rebuild and reopen.
"We're already trying to move forward, dealing with insurance companies and adjusters and that kind of thing right now. But I'm confident that we'll be able to rebuild it and hopefully be better than ever," he said.
Maclise predicts it will likely take months, but Cucina Esperanza next door may be luckier. Its owner said it could be back in business in about six weeks.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call Seattle police.