Suspicious fire at Exhale Lounge in Pembroke Pines

Investigators are calling suspicious a fire late Monday that significantly damaged a local nightspot.

About 10 p.m., units from the Pembroke Pines Fire Department were called to the Exhale Lounge, 1828 N. University Drive, where they found smoke and flames coming from the rear of the building, officials said.

It took about 20 minutes to contain the fire, said Tom Gallagher, a fire department spokesman.

Exhale was closed at the time. There were no reported injuries.

Preliminary damage estimates are between $75,000 and $100,000.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Gallagher said.