No foul play is suspected in the fire that broke out over Memorial Day weekend at Blake’s on the Park, a longtime LGBTQ bar located in the heart of Midtown.
When the popular bar that has operated for nearly 40 years will reopen, however, is unknown.
On Tuesday afternoon, the damage from the May 25 early morning fire could be seen and smelled through windows of Blake’s upstairs level, located near the rainbow crosswalks at 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue.
American flags in preparation for a slate of events for the holiday weekend were still flying at the bar’s main entrance on 10th Street. Stools were sitting on tables.
Atlanta Fire & Rescue is investigating the fire that happened about 6 a.m., said spokesperson Anaré Holmes. The blaze caused “moderate” damage to a storage room in the bar’s upper level, including some damage to the roof.
“There doesn’t seem to be anything nefarious; no foul play,” Holmes said. “There is an investigation underway. But right now, it is considered to be a moderate fire.”
Firefighters saw flames and smoke coming from the upper level of Blake’s when they got to the scene.
No one was in the bar at the time of the fire and no injuries reported, Holmes said. Crews were on the scene for about three hours.
Attempts to reach someone from Blake’s on Tuesday were unsuccessful. A post on social media said the bar would be “closed until further notice.”
A sign on the front door apologized for those looking to celebrate the weekend at Blake’s.
