Firefighters called to fire at Red Barn in Palm Desert
Firefighters were working to contain a fire at a Palm Desert bar early Tuesday morning.
Crews were called to the Red Barn along the 73200 block of Highway 111 at 3:39 a.m. where heavy smoke was showing from the front of the building.
A KESQ News Channel 3 reporter on the scene said the inside of the business appeared to be gutted.
A Battalion Chief with CalFire says the majority of the damage is on the first floor of the business. Firefighters had to cut through the roof of the barn to get the fire under control. The windows on the front of the building were seen broken.
CalFire said the cause of the fire is under investigation, and at this time it is unclear if the fire was started intentionally. No one was injured.
10 engines responded along with two trucks and two fire chiefs.
The multi-unit commercial strip mall homes several other businesses.
The Red Barn had been the site of a protest against forced closures due to the coronavirus pandemic and had carried painted messages on its roof over recent weeks. The latest message read "America The Free + No Regerts."
The bar's owner had said he wanted to reopen his business, with or without the governor's approval. But he relented when he said state agents threatened to permanently take his liquor license.
Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for updates.
