MOUNTAIN VIEW — A fire broke out in a French cafe Monday morning, causing more than $100,000 worth of damages, according to a press release from the Mountain View Police Department.
Maison Alyzee is closed due to a fire in Mountain View, Calif., on Monday, March 3, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Maison Alyzee, which serves pastries, coffee, lunch and more, was filled with smoke after a lithium-ion battery charging yard equipment caught fire, officials said. The cafe was featured by Bay Area News Group last year for serving one of the best croissants in the Bay Area.
“I am still working on assessing the situation,” said founder Laurent Pellet. “The store will be down the entire week.”
The Mountain View Fire Department received a 911 call shortly after 8 a.m. Monday that reported smoke filling Maison Alyzee, a restaurant located at 212 Castro Street, authorities said.
One employee evacuated from the building before firefighters arrived.
The first fire engine arrived on scene at 8:12 a.m., authorities said, finding smoke billowing in the restaurant, which is located in a single-level commercial building.
A sprinkler head was actively spraying water, which the fire crew stopped before removing charred debris and chairs from the restaurant, authorities said. They then used salvage operations techniques to remove smoke and water from the building as well as conducted an “extensive overhaul” to ensure all flames were extinguished, they added.
Firefighters believe that the fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery for yard equipment that was left unattended. After flames began, a C02 cylinder in the room exploded, authorities said.
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The building has smoke damage throughout, with the heaviest damage to the kitchen in the back of the building, firefighters said. They estimated the damages to the building to be about $100,000.
Before leaving the scene, firefighters recharged the sprinkler system and replaced the sprinkler head, they said.
The Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health will work with the restaurant to recertify and reopen because it works with food and perishables. The restaurant will remain closed until it is recertified, authorities said.
