1 killed in downtown Capitola fire that burns apartment complex, restaurants

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A structure fire in downtown Capitola, California partially destroyed an apartment building and two popular local restaurants on Monday evening, resulting in one fatality. Firefighters from the Santa Cruz County Central Fire District responded to the two-alarm blaze on Monterey Avenue and were able to contain the fire within an hour, but one civilian was pronounced dead at a local hospital after being extricated from the structure. A firefighter also sustained a minor injury during the incident.

Why it matters

The deadly fire in the heart of Capitola's historic waterfront district has raised concerns about public safety and the vulnerability of small businesses in the community, as the blaze spread quickly from the apartment building to the neighboring restaurants. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire and whether any building code or safety issues may have contributed to the tragic outcome.

The details

The fire broke out around 5 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026 on the first and second floors of an apartment complex at 204 Monterey Ave. The blaze then spread to a neighboring two-story commercial building housing Mijo's Taqueria and Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House. Firefighters attempted to extinguish the flames while searching the buildings, and during the search, one civilian was located, extricated, and transported to a hospital where they were later pronounced deceased. A second civilian was treated at the scene but did not require hospitalization. One firefighter also sustained a minor injury.

• The fire was reported around 5 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026.
• Firefighters were able to contain the blaze within an hour.

What’s next

Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire and whether any building code or safety issues may have contributed to the tragic outcome.