TAMPA, Fla. — A fire broke out at a popular Tampa eatery early Monday morning.
Tampa Fire Rescue said crews battled the two-alarm structure fire at Fresh Kitchen, located on South Howard Avenue, around 4:45 a.m.
There are no reported injuries. Officials closed South Howard to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic in both directions during the incident.
"We are absolutely heartbroken to share that our Fresh Kitchen SoHo location caught fire early this morning," the restaurant's team said in an Instagram statement. "No team members or guests were in the building. We are extremely grateful that no one was injured."
Fresh Kitchen added that August would have marked the location's 10-year anniversary. The restaurant will be permanently closed while its crew figures out how to rebuild its flagship location.
Brides, families fighting for refunds after event venue closes suddenly
“We’ve struggled so hard to scrape the money to be able to do this for her,” Irizarry said. “She’s my only girl and I wanted this so much for her.”
Couples and families who had weddings and events planned at a well-known venue that abruptly closed claim they’re out thousands of dollars and aren’t being given refunds. Annette Irizarry was supposed to hold her 15-year-old daughter’s quinceañera in August at the Clearwater location and said she’s now out the $6,160 she paid. Without that money, Irizarry said she can’t afford to have her daughter’s celebration somewhere else.
