Popular Oviedo Diner destroyed by fire

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A popular Seminole County diner was ravaged by flames early Friday morning.

Witnesses said they called 911 about 1 a.m. when they saw flames shooting from the Oviedo Diner on Geneva Drive.

"Call came in about 1 a.m. We were met with a lot of smoke at the door. We made entry and there was a large volume of fire. There was a substantial damage of the interior of the building," said Chief Lars White of the Oviedo Fire Rescue.

The hottest spot in the building was in the kitchen, which investigators said will have to be examined to determine what caused the blaze.

"That's always, with a restaurant, the first place we start," said White. "But this one we're not sure. It looked a little more to the center of the building, but until we can really do a good investigation, it's just too early to determine."

"Going to be a lot of heart broken residents?" asked WFTV reporter Steve Barrett.

"Oh I'm sure there are. There was a main stay following that came here," White said.

No one was inside when the fire broke out, officials said.

City inspectors said they have examined the building and condemned it. The fire chief said the structure is a total loss.

The owners told WFTV the building was insured.

WFTV