Bethany University is making emergency arrangements for food service after a three-alarm fire swept through its cafeteria, causing damage estimated at $1.5 million to $2 million.
Although university classes had ended for the academic year, Bethany hosts numerous summer camps, one of which is scheduled to start this weekend. The Tuesday night, June 16, fire destroyed the cafeteria kitchen and caused heavy damage to the dining room.
For summer, Bethany will convert classrooms and other spaces into eating areas. Epicurean Feast, the company that operates the cafeteria under contract, has been “very cooperative about stepping up,” according to university President Lew Shelton.
Shelton said he expects to replace the entire 9,000-square-foot building using insurance proceeds. He said the university is exploring temporary on- or off-campus facilities for use when classes start in fall.
The blaze brought more than 40 firefighters to Scotts Valley from as far away as Aptos. Investigators on Wednesday determined that the fire was accidental, but the specific cause is undetermined.
The fire originated in an area of the kitchen that had been undergoing remodeling, and Battalion Chief Ron Whittle said investigators are studying whether the work could have caused the blaze.
There were no injuries. Because the building is more than 50 years old, it wasn’t required to have fire sprinklers.
Fire Chief Mike McMurry said he couldn’t remember the last three-alarm blaze within the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District.
“Their response and that of the other fire departments was phenomenal,” Shelton said. “They were here within four minutes. For Mike McMurry and all his personnel, I have nothing but the highest praise.”
