The damage from a fire that destroyed two downtown Saskatoon restaurants on the weekend will total at least $1 million, Saskatoon fire investigators say.
The fire that broke out Sunday just before 2 a.m. started in the kitchen area of Chau's Commodore Restaurant, investigators said Monday.
By the time fire crews arrived, heavy smoke and flames were coming out of the roof.
It was the same situation at the business next door, Gotta Hava Java Cappuccino Bar.
Two other nearby restaurants, the Olympian and a McDonald's, were sprayed down and received minimal heat damage, although there was some smoke damage. An upholstery business and a tailoring business on the second floor of the Olympian also suffered smoke damage.
Heavy equipment was brought in Monday to help investigators sift through the rubble at the restaurants, located on 2nd Avenue North at 22nd Street East.
The investigators' job was hampered by the bitter cold, which left heavy ice buildup and slippery conditions in its wake.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.