Arson investigators are looking into a "suspicious" fire that severely damaged a Ventura, Calif., gay bar, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The fire began at Rumors nightclub at about 4:30 am on a Friday late last month. It quickly spread, damaging the roof, floor and bar. The damage is estimated at more than $40,000.
Bar owner James Dean questioned whether the fire was an anti-gay attack, and he told the Times it isn't uncommon for people to drive by and yell anti-gay slurs or throw trash or eggs at the club's door.
A witness told authorities that he saw a man throwing liquid at the club's front door just before the fire began. The man then ran off, the witness said.
The bar hopes to reopen by Cinco de Mayo.
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