Pictured is the exterior of Jeremy’s Belview. A fire Wednesday has the restaurant’s ownership navigating the next steps to repair damage to the Foote Avenue restaurant’s kitchen.

A kitchen fire Wednesday is being described as “devastating” by the owners of Jeremy’s Belview.

Restaurant ownership expressed their thanks for those who have reached out over the past couple of days while they figure out the next steps for the longtime Foote Avenue eatery.

“As many of you know, Jeremy’s Belview experienced a devastating kitchen fire on Wednesday night,” restaurant officials said in a Facebook post Friday. “Right now, we are working closely with the appropriate departments, our insurance company, and other professionals to navigate the next steps. While we don’t have many answers just yet, we are doing everything we can to move forward.”

City firefighters responded to multiple 911 calls of a fire at 763 Foote Ave. building at 10:36 p.m. Wednesday after people said the building appeared to be on fire. Grey and black smoke coming from the building. First responders arrived to find smoke coming from the rear of the building and roof eaves. Firefighters from Car 1 performed a 360-degree survey of the outside of the building and saw fire inside the kitchen ventilation units on the restaurant’s south side. Firefighters did not see fire inside the restaurant dining or bar area. Fire did not appear to have burned through the building’s flat roof, though firefighters were concerned there could be fire in the cockloft, the immediate space between the exterior roof and the interior ceiling of the building’s main floor.

Firefighters from Engine 3 stretched a hand line to the rear of the building and entered through an exterior kitchen door. Engine 5 secured a hydrant, while a ladder truck was tasked with preparing to spray the roof and ventilate the building. Fire was extinguished in the kitchen, with other firefighters helping with salvage/overhaul operations to make sure any other fire was out. Engine 4 crews set up a gas powered positive-pressure ventilation fan at the front entrance of the building to remove smoke.

An investigation showed the fire was accidental, caused by the malfunction or overheating of a compressor unit in an upright storage freezer.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time for our family, our employees, and everyone who has made Jeremy’s Belview part of their lives over the past 23 years. We kindly ask for your patience, understanding, and support as we work through this process,” restaurant officials said in the Facebook post. “We also ask for kindness. Rumors and speculation only make an already challenging situation even harder. We promise to share updates as we have accurate information. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who has reached out with prayers, encouragement, and offers to help. Your support means more than you know, and we are truly grateful to be part of such an amazing community.”