Cisco’s fire investigation continues

By Daniel Wolowicz danielw@theacorn.com

The Thousand Oaks Police and Ventura County Fire Departments continue their investigations into the Wed., March 10, fire that destroyed Cisco’s Mexican Restaurant located on the 900 block of Westlake Boulevard.

Extensive structural damage to the building has forced city officials to fence off the restaurant and pronounce the area a crime scene. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, according to restaurant owner Bob Wilson.

Wilson, the former Thousand Oaks mayor, said the outpouring of support from customers has been incredible.

"It broke our hearts to see the restaurant burnt down," said Wilson. "But on the other hand, my wife, my son and myself have gotten so many calls of support it’s been truly unbelievable. We don’t even have time to return some calls."

Bob and his wife Linda Wilson plan to transfer about a third of the restaurant’s employees to the Cisco’s restaurant located in Thousand Oaks.

"Some of the people working at the restaurant have been with us for 20 years," said Wilson. "When folks from Westlake go to the Cisco’s in Thousand Oaks, they will see a lot of familiar faces and feel right at home."

The family plans to reopen the restaurant as soon as possible, Bob Wilson said, but he believes the process will take a while since the building has been considered a total loss.

Wilson said he and his wife have not yet decided if they plan to make any major changes to the restaurant’s décor once reconstructed.

The restaurant caught fire in the early morning hours and no injuries resulted.