A fire that destroyed a Santa Maria business and badly damaged another at the beginning of the year was likely set intentionally, fire investigators say.
Santa Maria Fire Marshal Darrell Delgado told KSBY News on Monday that the January 3 blaze at Sergio’s Furniture and Shaw’s Famous Steakhouse & Tavern on the 700 block of South Broadway “is considered an arson fire, but we are still waiting on forensic test results for a final conclusion."
Owner Sergio Diaz says he was told the day of the fire that it was intentionally set.
Sergio’s has since relocated to the Santa Maria mall while work to rebuild is underway.
"(The store is) gonna have a brand new facelift, completely redone, remodeled, sprinklers and all, so that's what we are waiting for," Diaz said.
He hopes to re-open back on South Broadway by November.
