Fire officials were investigating an early-morning blaze yesterday that destroyed a waterfront restaurant in Severna Park - a total loss for the uninsured owners, Charles and Delores Vane.

The Vanes had a contract to sell the property for $1 million.

The fire, which began at about 3:45 a.m., caused more than $1 million in damage to the Riverdale Restaurant on the Magothy River, officials said. Yesterday afternoon, only a few brick walls were standing.

Seventy-five firefighters battled the blaze on Inverness Road for three hours before getting it under control. A firefighter was treated at a hospital for exhaustion, officials said.

Delores Vane said she and her husband will try to recoup their losses by selling the land.