Oakland’s Horn Barbecue marked red after fire gutted building

Two days after Horn Barbecue in West Oakland was defaced with graffiti, the restaurant’s building was red-tagged after a fire caused significant damage Tuesday morning, officials said.

The Oakland Fire Department received a call at 4:19 a.m. about a fire in the back of the restaurant at 2534 Mandela Pkwy., Oakland Fire Department spokesman Michael Hunt said. Firefighters arrived at the restaurant three minutes later and saw smoke coming from the attic as well, Hunt said. The fire was extinguished at 4:46 a.m.

The fire comes days after Matt Horn, the restaurant’s owner, shared news on Instagram of graffiti and vandals who attempted to break into his restaurant trailer.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Horn called the vandals “the scum that is blighting our beautiful city” and urged small business owners affected by crime to unite.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and no injuries have been reported.

A representative for Horn could not immediately provide comment.

According to Hunt, city officials have red-tagged the one-story building due to “concerns about structural integrity,” meaning no one can enter the building.

Councilmember Carroll Fife, who represents the district where the restaurant is located, told the Chronicle that she received a text message Tuesday morning with a photo of the fire’s aftermath and immediately called the Horn family to offer ugly.

Fife said the Horn family told him it appeared the fire started from the roof “and it seems very intentional.”

“It’s heartbreaking,” Fife said.

“Oakland should be able to have great things. Regardless of race, (people) shouldn’t attack small businesses, but it’s harder for black businesses to access loans and everything it takes to be successful in business,” Fife said , referring to Horn: who is Black.

One of the Bay Area’s most popular restaurants, Horn Barbecue is known for its West Coast take on Texas-style barbecue. The restaurant opened in October 2020.

Contact Jessica Flores: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @jesssmflores