GULF SHORES, Ala. - Flames engulfed a popular landmark restaurant building in Gulf Shores early Thursday morning. According to Nick’s Italian Restaurant co-owner Nick Cascario and his wife Cathy, they were asleep in the building’s upstairs apartment when noise and the smell of smoke woke them.

  The couple escaped the building without any reported injuries. However, the beloved family dog, Dutchess, did not make it out. Gulf Shores fire chief George “Tim” Blakemore said that 911 received the call at 3:37 a.m. and his men arrived at the scene less than five minutes later.

  Alabama State fire marshal Edward S. Paulk said in a phone interview on Friday that the cause of the blaze has been listed as arson. The case was turned over to Paulk's office following an initial investigation by local authorities.

  Blakemore said Thursday that his department had received several leads and had been working with the deputy state fire marshal, the city fire marshal and the Gulf Shores Police Department.

  The building, which sat along Highway 59 South across from Jack Edward’s Airport, had been the home of several past restaurants. Remembered by many as Kirk Kirkland’s Hitchin’ Post, the building had also previously held Tommy Thunder’s Motorsports Cafe and the Oyster House which drew controversy with its alleged infringement of another area restaurant.