Iconic Orlando restaurant Beefy King damaged by fire

ORLANDO, Fla. – Iconic Orlando restaurant Beefy King was damaged by fire early Tuesday, but no one was injured in the blaze.

The fire broke out around 1 a.m. at the Bumby Avenue restaurant.

The owner of the restaurant, which has been open for 51 years, said the damage was minimal, but he's concerned about his full-time employees because the restaurant will have to close.

The fire started in the back of the restaurant, but it's not known what sparked the blaze.

Firefighters broke glass to access the restaurant and roof.

[RELATED: Check out these iconic Orlando-area restaurants]

"Units arrived and there was quite a bit of smoke showing from the building," a fire official said. "Crews quickly attacked the fire and were able to extinguish the fire without much extension into the building."

The owner said his focus is getting his business back open within 48 hours.

"It was terrifying, I guess ... I just couldn't believe I was walking up and seeing police tape and the fire vehicles and everything," Beefy King co-owner Shannon Woodrow said.

Fire investigators say they do have surveillance video from the restaurant and are trying to figure out if the fire is a case of arson.

"The arson investigators will keep the case open until they can make that determination," Orlando Fire Department District Chief Felix Benitez said.

"If someone is responsible, then shame on you. I just don't understand what would bring somebody to wanna hurt a family and a restaurant. I can't imagine," Woodrow said.

The news of the fire spread quickly through other businesses in the Milk District.

Mandy Roux works at Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar next door to Beefy King.

"It really breaks my heart that happened to another small business owner because it really affects the family when that kind of stuff happens," Roux said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.