Originally published by SacBee.com on July 19, 2018

A fire just after midnight Thursday has forced the closure of a popular Sacramento restaurant near Broadway.

The fire caused extensive damage to Shoki Ramen House at 2530 21st St., after breaking through the back windows of the building, according to the Sacramento Fire Department.

Crews were able to knock down the flames within about five minutes, fire officials said, but were on scene for several hours afterward to put out hot spots and deal with lingering smoke in the building.

The cause of the fire is unknown and an investigation is ongoing, fire officials said. No injuries were reported.

Shoki Ramen House, which has a second location on R Street, was opened in 2011 by chef Yasushi Ueyama and his wife, Kathy.

“I thought it was a prank,” Kathy Ueyama said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

Kathy said she and her husband drove to the restaurant as soon as they heard about the fire, but she still didn’t believe it was real until she confirmed the call came from the fire department.

“It’s very devastating,” she said. “We’re in shock. I don’t know what happened. Right now, we’re just feeling a little lost. [We’ve received a] lot of nice comments from the customers. My husband and I are very grateful that no one was hurt.”

A version of this story was published in the print edition of The Sacramento Bee in the local section on page 4B July 20, 2018.