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 Atlanta Fire Department spokesperson Anaré Holmes, firefighters received several calls between 6 and 6:30 a.m. Saturday regarding heavy smoke coming from inside Blake’s at 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 restrooms.

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.”