A significant fire broke out early Sunday morning at Bar Peached, a well-known bar located on West 6th Street in Austin, leading to extensive damage and an indefinite closure while fire officials investigate the incident.
The Austin Fire Department received reports of the fire around 6:25 AM, noting that flames had breached the roof of the establishment. Emergency crews swiftly shut down Pressler Street between 5th and 6th Streets to combat the blaze. Fortunately, searches confirmed that no one was inside the bar during the fire, which was declared under control by approximately 6:51 AM.
The damage inflicted on the building is substantial, with a significant portion of the roof collapsed due to the fire. Images shared by Bar Peached depict large pools of water accumulating in the seating area, while the kitchen has suffered severe burn damage.
Trista Cardona, an employee at a nearby nail salon, reflected on the bar’s popularity, stating, “It’s super busy, like I’m always seeing people walking up and down the street and there are lines that they’re waiting outside.” She expressed disbelief at the extent of the destruction, acknowledging that it might take a considerable time for the bar to reopen.
In a heartfelt social media update, Bar Peached’s founder, Eric Silverstein, shared the news of the fire, stating, “This morning, I woke up to a call from the Austin Fire Department. Unfortunately, it was bad news. Bar Peached had sustained a significant fire. The damage is bad and we will be closed for a while. This one hurts. So much love, passion, sweat, and tears have been poured into this building by so many people over the years.” He expressed gratitude to the firefighters for their rapid response and assured the community that no injuries were reported. Silverstein encouraged patrons to visit their sister restaurant, Peached Tortilla, during the closure.
Residents in the area remain optimistic about the bar’s recovery, with Suzanne Heritage, a local resident, expressing confidence in the community’s support. “This community on this street in this neighborhood is very close-knit, so I do think people will come by to support,” she said. Heritage conveyed her hopes for the owners and employees to rebuild and emerge stronger from this setback.
The Austin Fire Department is actively investigating the cause of the fire.
