Downtown Sarasota restaurant fire prompts earlier-than-planned closing

An oven fire at a downtown barbeque restaurant on Tuesday prompted the establishment to close five days earlier than planned, the owners of Brick’s Smoked Meats wrote on a social media post to their customers.

“As many of you know, we had already announced our final day of service would be Saturday, Oct. 10, as we prepare for new ownership,’’ the late Tuesday Facebook post read. "Unfortunately, due to the fire, we are unable to continue operating and will not be reopening.’’

Sarasota Fire Department responded to the emergency just before 8 a.m. Tuesday on State Street, later saying the fire was confined to an oven at the restaurant and was extinguished around 8:30 a.m.

A dozen fire-rescue units were called the scene, along with Sarasota Police officers who shut the street until mid-afternoon. 

All restaurant employees were accounted for. No injuries were reported.

Monte Silva, the operator of nearby Mexican restaurant Comida, said in a Facebook post that a Mexican-themed restaurant was planned in the space occupied by Brick's.

Brick’s opened on May 16, 2017, after launching its food as a weekly pop-up stand at the Sarasota Farmers Market.