BELFAST — An early morning fire April 1 left a popular local restaurant a total loss, according to Belfast Fire Department Chief James Richards.

Mings, a Chinese Restaurant located on Route 1 in Belfast, caught fire shortly after the initial 1:15 a.m. call to emergency services, though at that point the building had yet to catch fire. 

Richards said the call came in as a vehicle fire, with the vehicle parked within 6-8 feet of an occupied structure. The building had yet to ignite when Belfast Police first arrived at the scene, however by the time the Belfast Fire Department arrived the building was also fully involved.

Four people living in an upstairs apartment were able to safely exit the building via a side door, according to Richards.

Richards said the van belonged to cleaners who were working to clean pipes that run from the roof of the building down through each floor to the kitchen ranges.

Though unsure what piece of equipment caught fire while in the truck, Richards said it definitely started there before penetrating through the side of the building and igniting the restaurant.

Belfast Fire crews left the scene around 5 a.m. but returned around 8 a.m. to put out a few spot fires and to douse the building with water once more so that no further spot fires ignite.

The building was around 11 years old, having been built in 2007, Richards said.

Crews from Searsport, Morrill, and Belmont assisted at the blaze.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com