URBN PIZZA DAMAGED BY FIRE

Miriam Raftery and Jonathan Goetz

Photo, left: Robert Gehr

February 23, 2023 (El Cajon) – An early morning fire damaged URBN pizza and adjacent Creative Creature Brewing Company, according to Heartland Fire and Rescue Dept.

There had been a large party the previous night that kept staff there until midnight, said Derek Carnation of Creative Creature. "The fire started in their kitchen, and we're just next door; it's mainly smoke damage," he told East County Magazine after their establishments were cleared by the Health Department Thursday afternoon for reopening pending City Inspection, he tells ECM.

Carnation seems less convinced of reopening tomorrow than URBN pizza, which had a sign posted that the fire will only keep them out of operation one day. The businesses are located at the corner of Magnolia and Main Street in the heart of downtown El Cajon. There is ample parking in a lot they share with Ross and Starbucks on their end, and 24 Hour Fitness and Golden Corral on the other, among others.

Cause of the fire has not yet been determined and total damages have not been announced. The fire was reported in the early morning hours, just after a large party of 100 that kept staff there until midnight, according to Carnation, who said it started in the urbn kitchen and only slightly damaged their wall, primarily with smoke. "They seem to think it will reopen tomorrow, although we're different businesses," he told us as a small group waited for the City Inspector.