MANSFIELD – The roof of Kruzins Coffee Shop and Restaurant, located at 82 Park Ave West, caught fire just before noon on Friday.
Assistant chief Mark Sieving, of the Mansfield Fire Department, said the blaze originated in the kitchen, possibly from some equipment, but spread, catching the roof on fire.
Sieving said there was substantial flame and smoke damage to the kitchen and that the other rooms have smoke damage.
The fire department also damaged three doors in an effort to fight the flames. Sieving said the building was locked and empty when they arrived.
Mansfield Police cruisers were also on the scene responding to a vehicle accident in a nearby parking lot.
In an attempt to stay clear of the fire engines, authorities say a woman backed the truck she was driving into at least two parked vehicles in a parking lot adjacent to Kruzins, and hit another parked vehicle in the parking lot behind the restaurant.
Multiple 911 calls came in beginning at 11:45 a.m.
The blaze was contained within an hour and traffic resumed shortly thereafter on Park Avenue West.
For years the restaurant was formerly known as Mr. T’s. A total damage estimate and further details are pending as investigators continue to probe the blaze.
