Photo by: Tampa Fire Rescue
Investigators are trying to determine what caused the Fresh Kitchen in the Soho District of Tampa to catch fire on Monday morning.
The South Howard Avenue business has been deemed a total loss.
“We heard the helicopter first so we knew something was going on and then we saw it on the news,” said neighbor Mike Shae.
Shae and his wife live near Fresh Kitchen and went to walk their dog when they heard what was happening so close by.
“That’s our go-to Fresh Kitchen,” said Shea.
Shae and his wife watched fire crews shatter the windows of the place the popular chain started as they expressed how much they’ll miss stopping by for a bite, but ultimately they’re just glad no one was hurt.
That’s partly thanks to the Tampa Police officers who spotted the first flames in the busy area just before 5 a.m.
“Just like they say when you see something say something,” said Vivian Shedd, Tampa Fire Rescue Public Information Officer. “That’s what they did and that helped us get here faster.”
Surrounding businesses are being impacted by the streets taped off while crews work to determine what happened.
“The first thing you want to do is make sure the fire is completely out and it’s not a threat to other businesses or apartments,” said Shedd.
Shedd encourages walkers to stay on the opposite side of the Fresh Kitchen.
Code enforcement has some work to do.
“It’s sad because it’s a real popular place,” said Shae. “Hopefully it will re-open because I know we come here a lot.”
It was a restaurant that first opened at the spot on S. Howard Ave. in 2014. Now, there are more than a dozen Fresh Kitchen locations across the state.
The Fresh Kitchen owner told us he is at a loss for words.
As for the employees, some of them said they’re hoping they can find work at another Fresh Kitchen location.
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Source: wfla
