UPDATE: Investigators determine Tacoma restaurant fire is suspicious

TACOMA, Wash. — A restaurant was destroyed in a late night fire in Tacoma Tuesday.

Firefighters were called to the Great Wall Buffet Restaurant at 8217 South Hosmer Street shortly after 11 p.m.

PHOTOS: Chinese buffet restaurant burns down in Tacoma

When firefighters arrived, they forced their way into the building and found that no one was inside. Later, firefighters had to get out of the building for safety reasons when the roof became unstable.

According to firefighters, it appears the fire started in the back of the building near ground level. The fire traveled up the wall of the building and into the attic.

From their Twitter account, Tacoma fire characterized this as a "stubborn" fire to put out. Several hours after the fire began, flames were still visible as crews worked to extinguish hot spots.

There were no injuries.

The building is a total loss.

Investigators said they have determined the fire is suspicious. The Tacoma Fire Department said it is working with Tacoma police who will continue to investigate.

See raw video of the scene below.

Cox Media Group