A former restaurant that stood for 40 years as a gathering spot for hungry Inland Empire residents was gutted by an early morning fire on Wednesday.
Firefighters were dispatched to the blaze at the former Hunny’s Cafe on the 400 block of Corona Mall around 6:30 a.m.
Heavy flames were coming from the now-vacant building, prompting crews to fight the fire from the exterior and upgrade the call to a second alarm, the Corona Fire Department said.
Firefighters eventually pushed their way inside the building, allowing them to attack from the interior and search for any possible victims. Fortunately, the fire department reported that no one was found inside.
It took a little over an hour to bring the fire under control, with no extension to the surrounding buildings.
The one-time popular cafe closed last year, prompting a tribute from Riverside County Supervisor Karen Spiegel, who said her family was among the first and the last to dine at the restaurant.
Hunny’s was known in the community for its family-friendly atmosphere and hearty portions.
It was unclear why the small chain of family-style restaurants closed the Corona location, but a Hunny’s Cafe is still open and operating in Lake Elsinore.
The cause of Wednesday’s fire remains under investigation.
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