PORT ANGELES — Authorities continued their investigation Tuesday into the early Monday morning fire that destroyed a waterfront bar and restaurant.

Assistant Port Angeles Fire Chief-Fire Marshal Mike Sanders said the blaze that destroyed Castaways Restaurant Lounge, reported at 1:54 a.m. Monday, could have begun in an attic area and spread to the ground floor, or on the ground floor and reached the attic.

“Both are quite probable, and both are quite difficult to determine with the amount of damage that’s in there,” Sanders said.

The attic was heavily involved when fire department first responders arrived at about 2 a.m. Monday, soon retreating to defensive positions when it became too dangerous to enter the building.

The 1213 Marine Drive restaurant and bar, owned by Martin D. Gault of Port Angeles, was valued at $475,000.

Gault holds a $436-a-month land lease for property on which the building sits with the Port of Port Angeles.

The land lease expired Monday, Port Executive Direct Geoff James said Monday.

He said the port and Gault were close to executing another five-year option on the agreement when the fire occurred.

Sanders said they were unable to reach Gault on Tuesday.

“These things can take weeks,” Sanders said of the investigation, which includes assistance from Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and Sequim Fire Department.

“I don’t think we’ll have anything in the next couple of days, in reality.”

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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.