Fire Destroys Not An Arcade in Hesperia, Community Rallies to Help Rebuild

HESPERIA, Calif. (VVNG.com) — A fierce fire tore through a commercial building on Bear Valley Road Friday afternoon, completely destroying Not An Arcade, a unique entertainment venue loved by the community.

The blaze erupted just after 3:20 p.m. at 17153 Bear Valley Rd, east of Hesperia Road and across from the Vons shopping center.

Flames quickly engulfed the 4,108-square-foot structure, which was built in 1987 and housed three suites, including Not An Arcade and Butterfly Spa.

Firefighters took a defensive approach as they battled the flames, which continued burning for over 90 minutes.

By 5:30 p.m., the fire was finally extinguished, though concerns remained about the building’s structural integrity.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and it is unclear whether the third suite was occupied at the time of the fire.

As a safety precaution, an excavator was brought in to tear down unstable walls once the flames had been subdued. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Not An Arcade, known for its creative and interactive entertainment experiences, was a cherished local spot that hosted video game and pool tournaments, fostering a sense of community.

The venue’s owner, Sam, took to Instagram after the devastating loss to share an update:

“Thankfully, nobody was hurt. Thank you for all the support! We appreciate any help in any form. Hopefully, we will rebuild quickly and better than before.”

A GoFundMe campaign titled “Help Sam Restore Not An Arcade After Fire” was launched to assist in rebuilding efforts. The fundraiser describes Sam as a generous business owner who created a welcoming space for families and gamers alike.

“He always gave the best prices and offered discounts to those who needed them. His hospitality is legendary, and Not An Arcade was more than just a business—it was a community hub,” the campaign states.

Despite the tragedy, Sam maintained his sense of humor, sharing a video in which he joked that the arcade would be closed for a few days for remodeling and to get some fresh air.

Support poured in from the community, with one Instagram user, @ohdamnitsdevin, commenting, “Really love your attitude and spirit despite everything that happened — it truly shows the kind of person you are. The community’s behind you all the way, and we can’t wait to see you relocate and come back even stronger!”

Those interested in contributing to the rebuilding of Not An Arcade can donate through the GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/86d780bc.