Last week’s fire at Cornerstone Grill and Loft is being investigated as arson, fire officials said.
The bar has been closed since Aug. 3 while damage from the fire and other vandalism is repaired, said College Park Public Services Director Bob Ryan after a conversation with Cornerstone owner Mark Srour.
Prince George’s County Fire Department Spokesman Mark Brady said the fire had burned itself out before the fire department was called to the scene.
Cornerstone employees found a “possible break-in and vandalism, and they noted that there may have been a fire,” Brady said.
Brady said the first steps of an arson investigation are “processing physical evidence and looking for a fuel source” but said he could not be more specific because the investigation of the Cornerstone fire is ongoing.
A sign posted on Cornerstone’s door last week encouraged patrons to go to Santa Fe Café while Cornerstone is repaired. Srour owns both bars, along with The Mark.
Srour declined to discuss the fire, saying he was too busy.
“My life is engulfed in getting Cornerstone back open,” he said.
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