'Suspicious fire' damages Beach nightclub Steppin' Out

VIRGINIA BEACH

The cause of a fire this morning that heavily damaged Steppin' Out, a restaurant and nightclub, is still under investigation but considered suspicious.

The fire, at 600 Nevan Road near First Colonial Road and Interstate 264 in the Hilltop area, was reported about 3:20 a.m. and was under control about 4:35 a.m., said Battalion Chief Hedley Austin.

When firefighters arrived, heavy smoke was pouring out of the building, and firefighters began dousing it with water from the outside, Austin said. One side of the club was gutted and the rest of the building had heavy smoke damage.

The business was closed overnight, but firefighters said they heard that part of the building might have been unlocked, Austin said. Other businesses nearby were not affected.