Around 8 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 24, Sub Rosa Bakery posted a photo on Instagram of their building aflame.

The caption reads: “There was a fire in the building this morning. We will be closed today and for the foreseeable future. We don’t know the extent of the damage and will keep you all informed as we find out more. Everyone is safe.”

By midday, employees and residents were starting to clean out the damage at 620 N. 25th St. A strong smell of smoke and a lingering scent of baked goods wafted out of the building as passersby offered words of encouragement.

In addition to damage to the outside of the building, there was a visible hole in the ceiling of the bakery, with debris scattered on the floor.

City of Richmond public information officer Taylor Fuqua says the Richmond Fire Department (RFD) informed her that: “There was a fire in the attic that was starting to spread into the apartments above the bakery. All occupants in both the bakery and apartments did evacuate.”

According to RFD, there were no injuries reported but there was “significant damage done to the bakery and apartments” and “neither will be occupied for a while.”

This is not the first fire to plague owners Evrim and Evin Dogu. In April 2013, a few months after they first opened, the Dogus had to temporarily close because of an early morning fire in the apartments above.

The 2020 James Beard semi-finalist for Outstanding Baker has garnered national acclaim and local adoration.

Hundreds of customers and fellow Richmond restaurant owners have taken to social media to offer their support. This afternoon, neighbor Pizza Bones halted pizza production to bake Sub Rosa loaves; proceeds will go to residents and the bakery. All loaves were sold out within two hours.

Check back here for updates on the status of the bakery’s re-opening and for any community fundraising events.