Indianapolis investigators seek public’s help in restaurant fire probe

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis fire investigators are seeking information and camera footage from the public following a restaurant fire early Wednesday morning on the city’s south side.

Crews arrived just after 2:30 a.m. Wednesday to find heavy smoke and fire coming through the roof of the restaurant, Hot Pot Lovers, 1180 W. Southport Road.

More than 70 firefighters from the Indianapolis Fire Department responded to the scene at the intersection of Southport and Bluff roads near I-69. No injuries were reported.

The restaurant, an Asian food buffet restaurant sustained heavy damage. A small international grocery store located next door also sustained minor smoke damage. Investigators were continuing Friday to process the scene at the restaurant to determine the cause of the fire.

Rita Reith, a battalion chief and the director of media relations for the department, said in a Friday afternoon email to News 8 that investigators specifically want information regarding people, vehicles or other activity in the parking lot of the restaurant between midnight Tuesday and 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Investigators also want residents in the Meridian Woods Manor neighborhood to check their security cameras and doorbell cameras — particularly residents along A...