Manresa Suffers "Heavy Damage" in Two-Alarm Fire

Terrible news from Los Gatos this morning: Manresa, David Kinch's celebrated two-Michelin-star restaurant, has suffered a two-alarm fire, which the Chronicle reports has caused "heavy damage" to the space. The fire broke out around 4 am, and firefighters were able to contain it by 6 am; no one was in the building, and the restaurant was apparently closed up for a "deep clean." While no Manresa employees were harmed, a firefighter suffered a fall and had to be transported to the hospital for a minor chest injury, according to KCBS. All in all, it took 35 firefighters to tame the blaze, which ripped into the attic and interior; holes were apparently punched in the roof to tame it, and a KCBS reporter described it as doing "major damage to the kitchen and service area."

Much remains unknown about the fire, including its cause; Kinch, who was in New York at the time of the blaze, is currently flying cross-country to assess the damage and has yet to comment on its extent or when Manresa might reopen. A gas meter was apparently involved, and a PG&E and hazmat crew were brought in to shut it down. It's a tragic moment for the restaurant, which has been gaining steam of late thanks to a hit cookbook, revised menu format, and forthcoming documentary, not to mention a bakery expansion in the works.

We'll have further updates as the story develops; for now, here are some photos of the blaze from social media.

Flames just popped through roof of restaurant. pic.twitter.com/bs5O9NWF1Q

— Bob Redell (@BobNBC) July 7, 2014

It was this gas meter on backside of Manresa Restaurant that was burning when firefighters arrived around 4 am. pic.twitter.com/Few0t0rOvq

— Bob Redell (@BobNBC) July 7, 2014

Manresa restaurant in Los Gatos is on fire. #mapit pic.twitter.com/hK0PZ0Nhkn

— Amy Hollyfield (@amyhollyfield) July 7, 2014

Los Gatos' Manresa still burning but FF say fire is under control- not spreading anymore. pic.twitter.com/vTm7gf6pLU

— Amy Hollyfield (@amyhollyfield) July 7, 2014

Firefighters work to put out flames at famous Michelin star restaurant Manresa in Los Gatos: http://t.co/ho6snYLbfg pic.twitter.com/P5O2pjJoPX

— KCBS 740 AM/106.9 FM (@KCBSNews) July 7, 2014

· Renowned Manresa restaurant burns in Los Gatos fire [Chron]
· 2-alarm fire rages through the kitchen of Manresa [KCBS]
· All Manresa coverage [~ ESF ~]