Fire damages Arlington bar that received death threats

ARLINGTON — An early morning fire caused “extensive damage” Sunday at an Arlington restaurant that’s received death threats amid controversies over the city’s Pride event, according to police.

Around 6 a.m., North County Regional Fire Authority firefighters responded to the fire at ReMyx’d, located at 17216 Smokey Point Drive, according to authorities.

“Please avoid the area and allow crews room to operate,” the firefighters union wrote on social media.

There were no injuries, Arlington police Lt. Peter Barrett said.

Arlington police assisted firefighters. Detectives remained on scene to help fire marshals determine the cause of the fire, according to police.

Early reports indicated the fire started inside the fully-secured restaurant, Barrett said. He added it likely started in the back of the restaurant, near the electrical boxes. There was no sign of forced entry.

There was no estimate Sunday for damages to the building.

Fire officials could not be reached for further information Sunday morning.

Photos shared to social media showed plumes of smoke and heavy damage to the roof of the restaurant and bar.

ReMyx’d has been ensnared in hatred after an all-ages Mother’s Day drag event made its way into alt-right media across the country.

Reached by phone Sunday, owner Brenton Holland said he’d “never had so many death threats in my life.”

“It’s not a good time to be gay,” he said.

Police encouraged anyone with information on the fire to call 360-403-3400.

“As a police department, we’ll look into all possible leads,” Barrett said. “But right now, there’s no indication, at this point, that would lead to believe there’s a correlation” between the fire and the death threats.

Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.

Michael Henneke: 425-339-3431; michael.henneke@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @ihenpecked.