Embers igniting in a coffee roaster with flames spreading up a ventilation system apparently caused an attic fire at a north-side business Monday night.
Two employees were alerted to the flames on the roof of the business in the 2800 block of North Campbell Avenue by several people who pounded on the door of the building, said Capt. Barrett Baker, a Tucson Fire Department spokesman.
Firefighters were dispatched shortly before 7 p.m. to the coffee roasting business after multiple calls were made to 911 reporting the flames. The business is located near East Glenn Street.
A crew had the fire under control at 7:41 p.m., Baker said. Firefighters attended to hot spots, and had to remove large amounts of insulation from around the coffee roaster duct work. The insulation was smoldering and producing heavy smoke, said Baker.
Both employees told firefighters that embers ignited in the roaster and spread up the ventilation system.
Initial indications were that the accidental fire was tied to the coffee roaster, Baker said. However, the investigation was in the early stages and the cause of the fire had not officially been determined.
A damage estimate also was undetermined.
City inspectors were responding to the scene to determine if the building was safe, or would be condemned, Baker said.
