Car slams into Santa Monica cafe, triggers building fire

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- A car slammed into a restaurant in Santa Monica and caught fire, triggering a building fire Wednesday.

The accident happened at Cafe de Paris in the 700 block of Montana Avenue.

Philippe Blanchet, the cafe owner, says the vehicle crashed into five gas meters lined up against the wall of the restaurant. He heard two or three explosions.

One employee was inside the restroom when the crash happened and was hit by debris. She was taken to a local hospital with moderate injuries.

Blanchet said the employee was OK but "in shock."

The driver of the vehicle was OK.

The cause of the accident has not been determined.