Arson Probe Follows Second Fire at BJ's
Cincinnati fire officials are investigating a suspected arson at BJ's Fish and Chicken in Camp Washington, the second fire at the restaurant this week.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Dining Out
A one-alarm fire broke out at BJ's Fish and Chicken near Colerain Avenue and Hopple Street in Camp Washington, and the Cincinnati Fire Department says it has been extinguished with no injuries reported. The fire is being investigated as a suspected arson, and another fire was reported at the same business on Saturday.
Why it matters
Repeated fires at a single restaurant within days raise questions about the cause and whether the incidents are connected. Smoke odors also reached neighboring businesses, including City Gear, adding to the impact on the surrounding Camp Washington commercial area.
Fire officials estimate damage to the restaurant at approximately $100,000 from a one-alarm fire. The extent of smoke-related damage to neighboring businesses has not been determined.
The players
Cincinnati Fire Department
The Cincinnati Fire Department is the municipal agency responding to and investigating the fires at the Camp Washington restaurant.
BJ's Fish and Chicken
BJ's Fish and Chicken is the Camp Washington restaurant that was damaged in the two fires.
The details
The fire broke out at BJ's Fish and Chicken within days of a previous fire at the same business, and officials are treating it as suspected arson. Smoke spread to neighboring businesses, where clothing could have been exposed to smoke.
Timeline
Saturday: a second fire was reported at BJ's Fish and Chicken.
November 6, 2026: the latest one-alarm fire at the restaurant was investigated as arson.
Dining Out Landscape
Restaurant fires that require arson investigations are a recurring safety and insurance concern for independent dining businesses in dense commercial districts like Camp Washington. Repeat fires at one location within days are unusual and would normally trigger a closer review of building security and ignition sources.
Diners who frequent BJ's Fish and Chicken or the nearby Camp Washington shops should expect the restaurant to be out of service while the damage is assessed. Neighboring businesses affected by smoke odors may have their own cleanup needs, and the investigation's outcome has not yet been announced.
The takeaway
Business owners in dense commercial areas should review fire safety and security practices, since a single incident can affect neighboring storefronts through smoke exposure. Readers should watch for official updates on the cause once the investigation concludes.
Further reading
For more on the local food scene, browse Dining Out coverage in Cincinnati.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WCPO.
