LGBTQ+ Bar closes after suspected arson attack – Causing thousands worth of damage
Flames inflicted damage on Gossip Grill, the sole LGBTQ+ women’s bar in Hillcrest, San Diego, during the early hours of Friday, as confirmed by San Diego law enforcement.
On Friday, authorities from the San Diego Police Department apprehended a suspect, while the Metro Arson Strike Team has taken on the responsibility of probing the incident, officially categorizing it as an act of arson.
At approximately 12:30 a.m., the San Diego police were alerted to a fire erupting on the rear patio of the establishment situated at 1220 University Ave., as per the SDPD’s report. Prompt response from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department resulted in firefighters extinguishing the blaze that had engulfed an awning at the back of the bar by 12:39 a.m., according to police sources.
Later in the day, at around 1:45 p.m., a 38-year-old individual was apprehended near the vicinity and taken into custody, as conveyed by SDPD Lieutenant Adam T. Sharki in an official statement. The underlying motives for the incident remain undisclosed at this point in time.
On Friday morning, Gossip Grill’s Instagram page shared video footage showcasing flames consuming various areas around the exterior seating zones and electrical equipment. Apparently, the damage done cost around $10,000 but thankfully due to the quick-thinking fire department, the flames were outed before they spread to the main area of the bar.
