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Fire Causes 'Extensive Damage' To Coconut Charlie's In Pasadena

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A two-alarm fire caused "extensive damage" to Coconut Charlie's on Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena early Friday morning, according to Anne Arundel County fire officials.

Officials say the building could be a total loss. Part of the building's roof collapsed.

Firefighters were dispatched around 3:05 a.m., and first responders reported a fire on the side of the one-story structure.

Further investigation found heavy fire in the attic area and a second alarm was requested, bringing 75 more firefighters to the scene.

"The challenges that this building presented, the original part of the structure appears to have been built in the 1940s, just made it difficult for firefighters to get up into the attic area to get access," says a spokesman with Anne Arundel County Fire.

The fire was extinguished in about 90 minutes, but not before causing extensive damage to the building.

"There was probably enough that was impacted, it could be considered a total loss," he says.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by members of the Anne Arundel County Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit and no dollar loss has been established.

One firefighter received minor injuries following a fall from a ladder and was treated on the scene.

Members of the ATF searched the immediate area top to bottom, and honed in on one section, as they searched for clues as to how the fire started, and whether it appears to be suspicious.

"Investigators are taking a look at it, but initially there is nothing that's jumping out to them, but it is under investigation."

While the cause is still up in the air, the owner posted on Facebook "Thank you to everyone who has reached out today. It makes me feel great to know how many of you care for our "family" at Charlie's. Right now it's very overwhelming for me. We will be back, better than ever, and hope all of you keep all the employees affected by this in your thoughts. Tomorrow is another day and can't wait to see everyone again at "Pasadena's" best little bar in the near future!"

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