Investigators say the fire that destroyed Romio’s Pizza on 15th Avenue NE in Shoreline this morning was intentionally set. An arson sign has been posted on the property, and anyone who has information is asked to call the King County Fire Investigation Unit or Shoreline Fire Department.

The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. Shoreline fire crews arrived to find the building fully engulfed in flames, with smoke pouring from several areas of the building.

Fire crews from Bothell, Northshore and Seattle were called in to assist in battling the blaze. At one point, firefighters had to retreat from the interior of the building because of an imminent roof collapse. They continued an exterior defensive attack. It took nearly 90 minutes to declare the fire under control.

No one was in the building at that hour of the morning, and there were no injuries reported.

A damage estimate was not available but the building and contents were totally destroyed.

April 23rd, 2007