Fire at Blake’s on the Park in Midtown: Authorities investigating

ATLANTA — Firefighters are investigating after a fire broke out at a popular gay bar in the heart of Midtown Atlanta.

According to Anaré Holmes, spokesperson for the Atlanta Fire Department, firefighters received several calls Saturday between 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. regarding heavy smoke coming from inside Blake’s at the Park bar. The property is located on the corner of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue, near the city’s rainbow crosswalk.

When firefighters arrived on scene, they saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear corner of the building adjacent to the bar and next to the bathroom.

Fire officials said no one was inside the building at the time of the fire, which caused only “moderate damage,” according to Holmes.

Holmes added that the fire would not be a reason to close the nightclub and he expects the club to be “back and operational as soon as possible.”