Multiple Fire Crews Work Together to Extinguish Fire at Caribe Restaurant & Bar on Bonita Road
- Susan Heavilin
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
A fire broke out at Caribe Restaurant & Bar at 5080 Bonita Road around 4:05PM yesterday. Residents discussing it on the Ring™ app stated there were eight fire trucks (2 ladders) and two ambulances.
Crews reportedly knocked down the fire around 4:45 p.m.
I heard that there was concern because it is an older "strip mall" with wood construction. Other well-known businesses in the Bonnie Brae Center include Bonita Farmers Market and Hans and Harrys. Kentucky Fried Chicken, the Post Office and the new Starbucks share the parking lot.
I arrived a little after 6PM after the fire was put out and took some photos for you. I didn't want to get in the way of our heroic firefighters doing their job!
Click on images to enlarge.
Even at that late start, I saw at least six fire engines and at least five battalions and fire chief vehicles. Crews present that I viewed were from Bonita-Sunnyside, Chula Vista and San Miguel.The Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) unit (53) is based in Chula Vista. I was told National City was also involved but I missed them.
Click on images to enlarge.
Bonita Sunnyside Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Mike Smith told FOX 5/KUSI that when fire crews arrived at the scene, they noticed smoke coming from the roof of the restaurant and made an “aggressive interior attack.” Smith said that the initial place the fire started is still under investigation, but it appeared to start adjacent to the restaurant’s kitchen. Smith also said one person was in the building at the time of the fire, but there were no injuries reported.—Isabella Paoletto, FOX 5/KUSI
Click on images to enlarge.
Another trustworthy source mentioned that there had been a small fire last week. A bar-b-que grill had been pushed up against the outside wall of Caribe and had caught on fire. I could see the slightly blackened areas around where the grill had been.
"Caribe Nightclub is owned by Juan Pablo Martinez. He moved from the Dominican Republic to America with his family in 2004. He moved to California to help his brother run the popular nightclub. The nightclub was successful and made $90,000 a month. In 2007, Juan took over the bar fully despite his limited experience. In 2012, his mother passed away and he was depressed as a result and lost focus on the bar."—Bar Rescue, Reality TV
The business has been at this location for 23 years. You might recognize it as Caribe Nightclub or La Luz Ultra Lounge or more recently Roots and Rhythm. The name seems to change every time there is an "incident". Prior incidents include a shooting and a theft. Now there's been a fire. The current restaurant sign reads Caribe Restaurant.
Juan Pablo Martinez Arias as pictured on his FaceBook page. He is the owner of Caribe. I believe that he is the man in the middle.
Several residents made comments about the business being in heavy debt, behind on rent and even a possible arson for insurance collection. I am only reporting on what I am hearing and have no facts on this matter. The following items found on the internet might give you a better view of the situation.
LA LUZ BAR RESCUE UPDATE (CARIBE NIGHTCLUB) – STILL OPEN IN 2026?—Season 4 Episode 32 and the episode name was “Til Debt Do Us Part” (October 4, 2015)
"Is It Lights Out for Caribe Night Club?" by David "Rev" Ciancio (October 5, 2015)
Still more people told me that the Caribe had recently been sold to three military men but I can find nothing to confirm that fact. I did not witness them at the scene of the fire.
The previous owner was present and yelled at me for trying to take a photo ten feet from the open door. She told me that it was illegal to take photos. Others told me that she had told them she sold the business but she is still seen around the premises.
The business was closed but there was one man inside. Thank goodness that he was not injured and that it was not full of patrons.
Kudos to all our brave firefighters for putting the fire out so quickly and completely. You are our heroes!
