Fire at Gresham’s Heidi’s Restaurant investigated as arson

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An early morning fire at a popular Gresham restaurant on Sunday is being investigated as arson.

Cleanup is underway at Heidi’s Restaurant on East Burnside Street after the fire. The restaurant has been in business for more than half a century, and despite its temporary closure, the building is still standing after the fire damage was mainly confined to a separate area in the back of the building.

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The owner, Sam Hinsaw, told KOIN 6 when the morning baker arrived around 5 a.m. Sunday, he found flames shooting out from the back entrance area, where freezers and other equipment are located. Firefighters got there quickly and kept the fire from spreading to the interior of the building, but repairs are needed to several parts of the restaurant.

The fire started in a small space alongside the building. It’s the second arson at the restaurant in the last three years. Hinsaw said he loves his customers and staff, but sees growing problems in the community.

“There’s still roof damage from when they had to cut it open,” Hinsaw said. “All of our freezers are not operational. There’s still a lot of logistical stuff we have to figure out. But the silver lining is that it could have been worse.”

Gresham fire investigators are looking into the arson and tell KOIN 6 it was one of four fires set on Sunday morning in dumpsters and garbage cans, including one across the street outside the Dragon Palace Restaurant, which remains open.

Multiple customers came by Heidi’s on Monday and told KOIN 6 that they hope it’s back open soon. Hinsaw says he expects to reopen by the end of the week.

There’s also a GoFundMe page to help restaurant employees while they are not working.

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