Fire damages Lower Valley restaurant

Several businesses were damaged by a restaurant fire in the Lower Valley Monday night.

The fire started just after 9 p.m. at the Dona Esther Restaurant, which is in the Tigua Village II Shopping Center at 424 Yarbrough Drive.

The restaurant was closed at the time of the fire, and officials say no one was inside. Fire investigators determined the fire originated in the kitchen.

Emergency crews say the fire was contained to the restaurant, but smoke damage was reported in about six neighboring businesses. Fire crews also say the businesses to either side of the restaurant sustained water damage.

Damage is estimated at $50,000 for the restaurant alone.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.