A fire broke out inside a two-story commercial building at 1351 U Street NW around 5 a.m this morning, causing significant damage to the ground-floor U Street Beer and Wine shop, as well as the second-floor dance/martial arts studio. There were no injuries, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

U Street was closed to traffic between 13th and 14th Streets for about an hour due to fire equipment and hoses in the street.

D.C. Fire and EMS crews arrived on the scene to find “heavy fire conditions,” according to spokesperson Pete Piringer. The “very labor intensive effort” called for a precautionary second alarm and about 75 firefighters responded. The fire took 15 to 20 minutes to knock down, but damage from both the fire and the rescue effort has left the building’s with blown-out windows and, as far as one can tell, severe damage on the interior.

The entrance to the store is obviously taped off, and it’s nearly impossible to see inside. But based on the light from the entryway, it appears as if the store likely suffered heavy losses in inventory. The shop, which is owned by well-known U Street retailer Steve Tekle, has been in business for about a couple of years and is a convenient place to stop in for a sixer and some friendly banter about the neighborhood. It also occasionally hosts wine tastings.