This multi-alarm fire broke out around 1:45 a.m. at Wellington Road and Rice Boulevard in Uwchlan Township.
Viewer video shows smoke seeping out of the roof of this business as firefighters pour water on the flames.
While the cause is still under investigation, the fire started outside in the same area as the gas service for the building.
Officials initially told Action News that a gas line rupture had occurred. However, the fire marshal has since said it was an accidental fire and not a gas line rupture.
The fire marshal said PECO turned off gas and electricity for safety to these businesses in the Eagleview Town Center. The flames damaged properties, including Brickside Grille and the Persis Indian Grill.
"I can't imagine all these poor people, no work, no employment, the owners," said neighbor Bea Verdugo. "Plus, this is a busy place; it's happening all the time."
The owners of Persis Indian Grill have been out at the scene on Thursday, assessing the restaurant.
Both restaurants expect to remain closed for several weeks. In the meantime, Brickside Grill donated its remaining food inventory to the Chester County Food Bank.
"We got a lot of produce. We have some frozen items, some frozen pastas," said Jose Frazier of the food bank. "So a lot of people think Thanksgiving and Christmas, that's when we get the majority of our donations, but hunger is every day."
The donated food is expected to be distributed to local families as early as Friday.
The fire marshal says this dangerous situation could have been much worse.
"The building's got a brick exterior, so that helped us in our fight against the fire," said Mike Holmes, the Uwchlan Township fire marshal.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.