KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – The Love Kitchen, a longtime Knoxville nonprofit that provides thousands of meals each week to those in need, has temporarily suspended operations after a fire damaged part of its facility Friday morning.
According to Knox County Communications, crews were dispatched around 9:30 a.m. Friday after reports of white smoke coming from the building.
The Knoxville Fire Department responded and forced entry into the structure, where firefighters discovered heavy smoke coming from the rear of the building.
“The further they got back, the smoke seemed to be a little darker and a little heavier,” KFD Captain Tim Woods said. “So they ended up finding the fire was in a storage closet — burning pretty well in the storage closet.”
Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the storage area. No one was inside the building at the time, and no injuries were reported.
Officials said the storage closet sustained significant fire, smoke and water damage, while the remainder of the building experienced minor smoke and water damage.
Love Kitchen Executive Director Martin Riggins arrived shortly after emergency crews and said a burned-through water line may have helped slow or extinguish the fire before firefighters arrived.
As a result of the damage, all utilities to the building — including electricity, water and natural gas — have been disconnected while inspections and repairs are completed.
The outage has created a major concern for the organization, which relies on two walk-in freezers and two walk-in coolers to store food for its meal programs.
“We have a thousand pounds of food in there right now, and I don’t know the prospects of being able to get the power turned back on,” Riggins said.
The closure affects a significant number of residents who depend on the nonprofit’s services. Love Kitchen serves approximately 3,000 meals each week, including deliveries to homebound individuals and meals served at its dining facility.
Riggins noted that 282 homebound residents had received a week’s worth of meals just one day before the fire, while more than 500 lunches were recently served from the dining room.
“That’s a lot of meals that will not be provided until we can get this place going again,” Riggins said.
Fire investigators continue working to determine the cause of the fire. Once officials release the building, a fire mitigation company will begin cleanup efforts and assess electrical damage before utilities can be restored.
The emergency also forced a change in Love Kitchen’s Fourth of July plans. Riggins had intended to participate in the Farragut Independence Day parade but shifted his focus to recovery efforts.
“I believe that probably takes priority over being in a parade,” he said.
Despite the setback, Riggins remains optimistic about the organization’s future and said volunteers have already begun offering assistance.
“We will. We will. Knoxville has been very good to the Love Kitchen. And I’m sure we’ll get it. But it’s going to take a little time,” he said.
Captain Woods echoed hopes for a quick recovery, noting the critical role Love Kitchen plays in the community.
“I know there’s a lot of people relying on them for meals,” Woods said.
Those interested in supporting recovery efforts can donate through The Love Kitchen at http://thelovekitchen.org.
Fire temporarily closes The Love Kitchen (KFD)
