StowNut Donut and Diner in Stow catches fire Wednesday; mayor says 'everyone is fine'

StowNut Donut and Diner , a popular eatery in Stow, caught fire late Wednesday afternoon after the business had closed for the day.

Stow Fire Chief Mark Stone said no one was in the restaurant when firefighters responded about 4:40 p.m., and no one was injured.

The fire appears to have started in the restaurant's maintenance room, but the entire business suffered smoke damage and will likely be out of operation for at least a few weeks, he said.

Stone said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Stow Mayor John Pribonic posted on his Facebook page that "everyone is fine" and praised the surrounding fire departments that responded.

Black smoke was billowing out of the building when crews arrived, Stone said. Firefighters were still onsite as of about 7 p.m., but the fire was out.

The doughnut shop and diner is located in the Crossroads at Fishcreek Shopping Center at the corner of Fishcreek and Graham roads.

Other businesses in the plaza weren't damaged by the fire but were evacuated as a precaution, Stone said.

StowNut has been in business since 2003. Along with doughnuts, the restaurant serves breakfast and lunch. It features a 1950s-style diner vibe and also offers outdoor seating.

Fans on social media offered prayers for the business and expressed their support.

"Oh no!!!!! I love that place so much," one person posted on a community Facebook page.

One fan wrote: "Can we start a go fund me to get that place back up and running asap bc those donuts are too good to let go."

Another person posted a crying emoji and said: "So sad!!! We LOVE stonut and hope it wont be too long before they reopen! Prayers for all involved, owners, staff members, customers, all the Fire depts."

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: StowNut Donut and Diner in Stow catches fire Wednesday; mayor says 'everyone is fine'