The Turlock Police Department has arrested two individuals on arson charges in connection to the fire that damaged the Red Steer eatery.
Detectives arrested Tracy Smith, 27, and Jeremy Britt, 23, both of Turlock around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Both men were booked into the Stanislaus County Jail.
The Red Steer was severely damaged by fire on May 28 and has had to temporarily shutter its doors.
The blaze caused major damage to the inside of the restaurant and completely destroyed the roof, said Turlock City Fire Battalion Chief Gary Lunsford. The initial damage estimate was put at $1 million, Lunsford said.
The fire was initially reported at 3:20 a.m. May 28 by a passerby who saw smoke rising from the restaurant. While en route the first fire engine reported a large amount of smoke and called for a second alarm.
When the first fire engine arrived at the eatery at 203 S. Golden State Boulevard moments later, the attic was already engulfed in flames, according to Battalion Chief Marc St. Pierre.
The police did not elaborate on the details of the arrest and said the case was being forwarded to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Turlock Police Department Detective Jason Tosta at 668-5550 ext. 6654.
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
Detectives arrested Tracy Smith, 27, and Jeremy Britt, 23, both of Turlock around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Both men were booked into the Stanislaus County Jail.
The Red Steer was severely damaged by fire on May 28 and has had to temporarily shutter its doors.
The blaze caused major damage to the inside of the restaurant and completely destroyed the roof, said Turlock City Fire Battalion Chief Gary Lunsford. The initial damage estimate was put at $1 million, Lunsford said.
The fire was initially reported at 3:20 a.m. May 28 by a passerby who saw smoke rising from the restaurant. While en route the first fire engine reported a large amount of smoke and called for a second alarm.
When the first fire engine arrived at the eatery at 203 S. Golden State Boulevard moments later, the attic was already engulfed in flames, according to Battalion Chief Marc St. Pierre.
The police did not elaborate on the details of the arrest and said the case was being forwarded to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Turlock Police Department Detective Jason Tosta at 668-5550 ext. 6654.
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
