Detroit fire investigators are still looking into a massive fire at the Katoi restaurant in Corktown.
The restaurant was heavily damaged in the fire early Friday morning.
The restaurant specializing in Asian food just opened last year. It's located in Corktown on Michigan Avenue near 17th. Katoi was even named Best New Restaurant by the Detroit Free Press this past February.
Dave Fornell, the Deputy Fire Commissioner with Detroit Fire Department, said the investigation is ongoing, but they believe it’s arson.
"The fire started in the bar area our investigators found,” said Fornell.
He said when crews arrived on the scene at 6:15 on Friday morning, there was already heavy fire in the dining area.
"When they started looking at it they found the backdoor was forced. So it looked like there was a break in,” said Fornell.
He said crews also found an abandoned tote bag full of liquor by the back door.
"Apparently someone, we're assuming broke in was stealing liquor,” said Fornell.
"We suspect arson to cover the crime probably,” he said.
Fornell said the damage to the dining area and bar is extensive, but it’s possible the kitchen and bathrooms could be salvaged, but they do have a lot of smoke damage.
"Of course there's smoke damage all over, so it's hard to say in a case like this, it's up to the insurance company now what they're going to do,” said Fornell.
Just down the road, police say there was a break-in at Nemo's Bar and Grill. A window was reportedly knocked out and some liquor was stolen.
The suspect in that case is described as a white male between 25 to 30 years old.
No word yet from investigators if the two incidents are connected.
If you have information that could help with the investigation, call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) SPEAK-UP.
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