A fire broke out around 1:30am at the 11,821 square-foot standalone building that previously housed InCahoots at 5373 Mission Center Road within Hotel Circle in Mission Valley. The flames eventually engulfed the entire structure, which is sited on a 1.15 acre lot. Eyewitnesses reported approximately 10 fire trucks and more than 60 firefighters on site working to control the blaze. Citing safety concerns, fire officials adopted a defensive strategy, keeping personnel outside the building and using drones with infrared technology to monitor and combat the flames from a safe distance.
InCahoots was a long-standing fixture in Mission Valley, offering line dancing and a country-western atmosphere for more than 25 years before closing on the first day of 2019. Founded by Texas native David Borlick in 1992 and later owned by Suzanne Wales of Houston, TX, the venue was managed for years by Gary Martin. Known for its line-dancing classes, pool tables, and Wild West décor, InCahoots was a popular spot for San Diego’s country music fans.
In 2018, InCahoots announced it would close after its New Years Eve Party at the end of December, as its general manager explained that the building and land had been sold, with no lease extension offered. Five years later, the property remained vacant, with boarded doors, shattered glass on its wooden deck, and vandalized walls. Public records show that Bridge California LLC, a company that identifies as a furniture business, purchased the Mission Valley site for $3.7 million. In 2020, San Diego firefighters also responded to an exterior fire at the location.
"Thanks to the excellent work by our firefighters, no nearby structures were damaged and there were no injuries," the SDFD noted in an update at around 9am.
Fire officials say crews are expected to remain at the scene throughout Saturday as they work to fully extinguish the flames. The Metro Arson Strike Team is also on site, actively investigating the fire’s cause. The San Diego Police Department has established traffic control on Mission Center Road, and motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.
Originally published on October 26, 2024. This is a developing story that is updated as more information becomes available.
