ANAHEIM >> The Anaheim White House restaurant, a landmark in the city, was severely damaged in a fire early Saturday, authorities said.

Anaheim Police Department spokesman Daron Wyatt said firefighters were called at 4:18 a.m. for a blaze in the restaurant at 887 S. Anaheim Blvd.

About 40 firefighters from Anaheim, Orange, Garden Grove and Fullerton were able to knock down the blaze in about 30 minutes. Fire crews continued to work on hotspots for nearly three hours, he said.

Investigators remained on scene Saturday morning working to determine the case. A damaged estimate has not yet been determined. No one was in the restaurant at the time and no one was injured, Wyatt said.

The restaurant remains closed indefinitely.

Owner Bruno Serato posted on his Facebook page: “Can’t stop crying. We lost the Anaheim White House restaurant from a fire during the night. No one was hurt … I am devastated … for who made reservations the next 6 months, we need to cancel it … for any groups or banquettes still can call our off-site catering that is still operating. I am so sad.”

He posted photos that showed the one white colonnades of the building’s facade charred and blackened. The building’s exterior had been gutted.

The White House has long been known in the city for its charity work.

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