Charlie’s Sports Bar & Grill in East Vancouver closes after burglary and arson

Charlie’s Sports Bar & Grill has experienced numerous burglaries.

According to owner Dan Finley, the popular east Vancouver bar has been burglarized several times in recent years.

“They usually grab a bottle of alcohol, check the cash register and run out,” he said.

This was not the case Monday morning. Instead, the burglars used a flammable liquid to set the establishment on fire before fleeing.

Vancouver police and firefighters were called around 4:20 a.m. to the bar at 3315 NE 112th Ave.

The damage was considerable. Almost everything inside was destroyed, Finley said. He estimates the business will be closed for at least five months and it will cost more than $200,000 to replace everything, including televisions, pool tables, insulation, tiles and more.

The Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office and police are investigating. Firefighters confirmed on Friday that it was arson.

Finley is offering a $5,000 reward for any tips leading to an arrest or conviction. Additionally, the fire department is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction.

Anyone with information about the incident can call the Fire Marshal’s tip line at 360-409-9533.

Investigators viewed all available surveillance footage from nearby businesses, Deputy Fire Commissioner Cale Baker said. Technicians work to restore surveillance footage of Charlie that was damaged by the company’s sprinkler system.

Available footage shows two suspects breaking into the south entrance and then leaving the building a short time later.

“The images are blurry and dark and do not show faces or features,” Baker said.

The destruction hits Finley hard, because it was at Charlie’s house that he and his wife met 33 years ago. In fact, Finley and his wife were in Tennessee for their anniversary when they heard about the fire.

“We had to cut it short and revisit that,” he said.

Finley said he will be able to weather the storm, and he is most concerned about the fate of his 20 employees currently in limbo.

Fortunately, donations are already pouring in, he said.

“We’re going to have fundraisers,” he added. “We haven’t even set up a GoFundMe yet, but people are already calling us and asking how they can help. »

Finley also owns Hooligan’s Sports Bar & Grill in downtown Vancouver, Offramp Sports Bar & Grill in East Vancouver and Burgers & Beer Bar & Grill in Camas. He said customers at those restaurants were offering donations.

“It’s fantastic,” he said. “Everything will be okay, but I want to make sure my staff is okay too.”