Fundraiser Launched To Help Rebuild Famed BBQ Joint

ATLANTA -- Friends and supporters of a famed Atlanta barbecue restaurant that went up in flames last week have launched an online fundraiser to help B's Cracklin' BBQ rebuild. So far, more than $10,000 has been raised to help Chef Bryan Furman and his wife Nikki get "back on their feet and #KeepBSmokin," the GoFundMe account said.

The fire began around 2 am Wednesday in the restaurant's barbecue pit area, according to Atlanta fire officials, and was so intense that it wasn't fully extinguished until around 6 am. The restaurant's roof collapsed during the blaze.

Furman was one of four Georgia chefs who were named James Beard semifinalists for Best Chef Southeast, three of whom are from Atlanta. Fire officials have not determined what caused the blaze.

Here is a link to the fundraiser.

This is the second time Furman has lost a restaurant to a fire, according to Fox 5. Furman opened his Atlanta location in 2016 after his first restaurant in Savannah was also destroyed in a fire. Eater Atlanta reports the couple rebuilt their first restaurant with the help of the community four months later.

B's Cracklin' was named best restaurant in 2017's Eater Awards and in 2018, opened at State Farm Arena.

Read more: Popular B's Cracklin' BBQ Destroyed In Overnight Fire

And: Several Georgia Restaurants Are James Beard Semifinalists

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