Carmichael restaurant destroyed, authorities investigate after second overnight fire

A popular Eastern European restaurant in Carmichael was destroyed Sunday morning after a fire blazed through the building for the second time this week, according to the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.

“I would say at least major damage, but more than likely going to be a total loss,” Metro Fire spokesman Capt. Parker Wilbourn said.

Firefighters responded to reports of flames around 3:16 a.m. Sunday at Elena’s Kitchen & Catering on 6620 Madison Ave. in Carmichael. Nobody was inside the building when the fire ignited, and no injuries were reported.

Crews were out for around four hours trying to control the fire, Wilbourn said.

This fire is unrelated to the restaurant’s first fire of the week, which happened Thursday morning in its industrial kitchen. The building sustained structural damage and flames were quickly contained in the first fire, according to the district.

More information about this weekend’s fire remains under investigation by the district’s arson unit.

Wilbourn said Elena’s will most likely be bulldozed.

The takeout establishment specialized in pierogies and roast beef dishes. It opened its doors in 2017.

This story was originally published June 12, 2022 at 3:45 PM.