APPLE VALLEY: Strip Mall Fire

A fire in an Apple Valley strip mall caused major damage to at least two businesses Saturday night. The fire was reported around 7:20 PM in the 18100 block of Outer Hwy 18. According to a worker at Neil’s Doughnut Shop, customers were commenting on the smell of smoke for a while before the fire was detected. She said (off camera) that she looked around her shop and turned on the air conditioner but the smell continued to increase. The fire was finally reported around 7:20 PM. Arriving Apple Valley Fire Protection units quickly called for a second alarm. Its unclear whether the fire started in the Ever Blooming Photography Studioor the Xhale Smoke Shop. All four units appeared to have some damage from the fire.