A fire at Horn Barbecue last November was deliberately set, investigators say. Jane Tyska/ Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND — A fire last November that destroyed the popular Horn Barbecue restaurant in West Oakland is being investigated as an arson, officials said Friday.
Fire Department spokesman Michael Hunt said investigators probing the fire have found evidence indicating the blaze was deliberately set. He declined to release details about the evidence that pointed to arson.
Hunt said the department has not identified any suspects and that investigators were still looking for anyone who may have information about the fire. Fire investigators can be reached at 510-238-4031.
The Nov. 21, 2023 fire gutted the restaurant at 2534 Mandela Parkway. The restaurant was closed at the time and no one was injured.
Owner Matt Horn has since reopened the restaurant at a new site at 864 8th St.
Horn rose to national fame for his smoked meat pop-ups, which led to the opening of Horn Barbecue in October 2020 and numerous accolades. In 2021, he was named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs in America.
In a reply Thursday to a comment that mentioned the arson finding on an Instagram post not related to the fire, Horn wrote: “Unfortunate to have happened. We will keep building.”
Check back for updates on this developing story.
Originally published at Harry Harris