Update: Rebuilding planned after morning fire at Sandbar restaurant

Update: Rebuilding is planned after a fire damaged a popular Santa Barbara restaurant early Wednesday morning.

Santa Barbara City Firefighters responding to Sandbar Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar on State Street. Fire crews arrived on scene at about 1 a.m.

Officials said smoke was coming from the roof near the back of the business and the fire appears to have started in the attic, but no flames were visible from the street.

Authorities said customers were in the restaurant when the fire started. Employees helped get everyone outside safely. Owner Aron Ashland credited a manager for finding the smoke, realizing the dangers and clearing the restaurant in a safe organized way. “She saved the building,” said Ashland who said in another “30 minutes” the structure would have been lost.

There was no damage to the inside of the main portion of the restaurant.

The kitchen had extensive damage.

The exact cause of the fire is under investigation, but it is believed to be linked to a long exposure to heat in an area behind the main kitchen grill.

The management team is meeting right away with architects and building officials about a plan to reopen.

About 80 employees are on staff at Sandbar and Ashland says they are a priority during the rebuilding period.

The owners of Sandbar Cocina and Tequila Bar also own Baja Sharkeez across the street.