An investigation into a fire at the Freshii restaurant in downtown Cochrane is being treated as suspicious.

Currently, RCMP and fire investigators are on the scene, and an accelerant detection dog has been brought in from the City of Calgary to assist, says Deputy Fire Chief Jared Wallace, of the Cochrane Fire Service,

"The cause and origin of the fire are unknown at this time, but it is currently being treated as suspicious in nature," he states.

Cochrane Fire Services were notified by an alarm monitoring company of a possible fire at 130 Quarry St. W. at 4 a.m. this morning (Aug. 12), states Wallace.

Upon arrival, they found heavy smoke conditions coming from inside the structure and requested additional resources from Rocky View County Fire Services.

Wallace says they quickly extinguished the fire once they gained entry.

"The main fire occupancy experienced moderate amount of damage and there's also some minor flooding to the adjacent business."

Freshii is located in the corner unit of a strip mall, making the fire a potential threat to adjacent businesses.

Deputy Chief Wallace says the fire didn't extend beyond the restaurant.

"I'd like to thank all the firefighters on scene for their excellent efforts to contain," says Wallace.

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