Popular 10th Street bar in Midtown Atlanta catches fire Saturday morning

ATLANTA - Atlanta firefighters responded to a fire at a popular bar on 10th Street NE near Piedmont Park on Saturday morning.

The fire happened at Blake's On The Park, an Atlanta landmark.

Blake's was established in 1988. The straight-friendly LGBTQ+ bar is known for cocktails, karaoke, drag shows, dancing and food.

"With this being one of the most iconic landmark nightclubs in LGBTQ nightlife, it means a lot to people," said Anaré Holmes with the Atlanta Fire Department. "We don't really know how long this club may be out of operation."

Holmes said one employee was inside but made it out safely.

Staff told FOX 5 the majority of the damage was contained to the second floor, so they are hopeful they will be able to reopen soon.

Blake's On The Park regulars shocked over fire

Kwame Heins, Rory Harper and Robin Barten love coming to Blake’s.

In fact Harper and Barten were there Friday night and well into Saturday morning.

"The place was packed, and it was really crammed and a good time, as always. So it was really interesting to hear that it was actually on fire this morning," Barten said.

Harper says they were in disbelief to see footage of the fire after being there just a few hours before it started.

"I was totally shocked at that. When someone told me it was on fire, I thought they meant like it was a fun time, like the dance floor was on fire, but it was literally on fire," Harper said.

The club was closed when the fire started.

With Pride Month just around the corner, the iconic bar's closure, even if brief, will be felt.

"It's an LGBTQ club and this is an LGBTQ area, so it definitely plays a significant part in the nightlife," Heins said.

"I only moved here a year ago and one of the first places I heard about to come to was Blake’s. So I feel like if we didn't have it, it would be such a huge loss to the community," Harper said.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

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