Fire engulfs historic Pacific Dining Car site in Westlake

A fire broke out early Thursday morning at the historic Pacific Dining Car restaurant in Westlake, Los Angeles, causing significant damage to the attic and roof. Firefighters received the call around 6:50 a.m. and had the blaze under control within 45 minutes, with no injuries reported as the building was vacant at the time. This incident marks the second fire at the restaurant in less than a year; the establishment has been closed since 2020 and was undergoing restoration efforts after being designated a historic cultural monument. Fire investigators are currently looking into the cause of the fire, which is still undetermined. The Pacific Dining Car, known for its fine dining and appearances in films, has a storied history dating back to its opening in 1921. In addition, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety has been dispatched to assess the structural integrity of the building following the fire.