Big Sur Fire reveals cause of Big Sur Bakery fire

BIG SUR, Calif. (KION-TV) -- UPDATE ON MAY 8, 2024 AT 11:17 A.M.- The Big Sur Fire Department confirmed to KION that the fire that damaged the Big Sur Bakery originated an accumulation of propane gas near the oven.

Big Sur Fire Chief Matt Harris said that when an employee tried to turn on the oven, the oven caught on fire. The employee tried to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher but the fire had started spreading.

Harris said the employee called 911 after they were unsuccessful putting out the fire.

The fire started around 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The bakery had been a staple in the Big Sur Community since the 1940's.

Big Sur Fire said the fire was not suspicious and was deemed an accident. The building is a total loss. There were no injuries reported.

Fire department says Big Sur Bakery a total loss, business community reacts

The Big Sur Fire Department confirmed on Saturday the Big Sur Bakery's building is a total loss because of a fire that broke out Friday.

Investigators are still working to determine the cause, however, they don't believe it was started on purpose and no one was hurt. Kirk Gafill, President of the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, said he's grateful first responders were able to contain the flames to the bakery because of its proximity to other businesses.

Gafill went on to say the bakery is a longtime community staple that had been in the current location for 20 years. He said while it's not the first Big Sur business to burn down, it's a rare situation that rocks the small, tight-knit coastal community.

"To lose a business like that, even if it's just for a a period of time, it takes a lot out" Gafill explained, "It's emotionally impactful, it's particularly difficult for the employees and the owners of the business who then have to go through the enormous effort to rebuild."

He said Big Sur businesses always come together during hard times to help each other out. "We're very collegial as businesses... so we're very supportive," he said, "If someone runs out of limes or sugar, we're sharing with each other."

Gafill added businesses appreciate the support shown by Governor Gavin Newsom visiting the Rocky Creek slip-out site. Newsom, on the same day the bakery burned down, reaffirmed the state's commitment to reopening the highway by Memorial Day weekend.

"The impact of Highway 1 being closed is far greater than Big Sur. We're the ground zero, as it were, but it has impacts regionally and throughout the state."

Over 1,000 Big Sur workers are unemployed or under-employed because of the closure, according to Gafill. He said the best way to support the bakery and other businesses is to give to the Community Foundation for Monterey County's Big Sur Disaster Relief Fund. 100% of donations will be used for grantmaking to local nonprofits and organizations supporting the Big Sur community, according to their website.

He also pointed out there is a fundraiser happening May 7th to support impacted Big Sur employees. All of the proceeds will help fund grants from the Community Foundation for Monterey County as well as for the Community Association of Big Sur.

If you'd like to donate to the fund or buy tickets for the event, you can do so by clicking here.

ORIGINAL STORY: Multiple agencies are responding to a fire at the Big Sur Bakery that sparked Friday afternoon.

Big Sur Fire and the Monterey County Sheriff's Office shared photos of the smoke billowing out of the structure on Friday.

Investigators said there was significant loss to the building and no injuries were reported. Authorities also said they don't believe the fire was set intentionally, but are still working to determine a cause.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office says the bakery has been a staple in the community since the 1940's and has been a hot spot for tourism.

U.S. Forest service, State Parks, CHP Monterey and the sheriff's office are all responding.