Arsonists Burn Rocio's Mole de los Dioses in Sun Valley Practically to the Ground

Terrible news out of Sun Valley this morning, as Rocio’s Mole de los Dioses is forced to rebuild following an apparent act of arson.

The LA Times has all the details on the weekend blaze that decommissioned the wonderful Valley eatery, prompting beloved chef Rocio Camacho to tell the paper heartbreakingly that “everything, everything burned.” Apparently, the place had been hit in recent months with a string of small-crime late night cash register robberies, with thieves breaking in through windows to steal some cash. At the site of the fire, arson investigators found yet another broken window that suggested someone snuck in and set a blaze in the kitchen.

Rocio’s Mole could end up being a total loss, says business partner Alonso Arellano, though the pair are trying their best to take out anything workable from the kitchen — none of which is apparently covered by insurance. In all, Rocio’s could be down for many months or even a year, if it comes back at all.

Feel like helping out one of Los Angeles’ most prized Oaxacan chefs, and the team of 20 that works for her? Arellano has already set up a GoFundMe page — though it’s worth noting that Camacho herself doesn’t want to ask anyone for money.