The popular Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place closed Saturday after an early morning fire that resulted in extensive damage but no injuries.

An Indianapolis Fire Department spokeswoman described the structure as "severely compromised," with a partial collapse preventing investigators from entering the building Saturday.

Investigators believe the fire may have started in a downstairs office. No foul play is suspected.

As news of the fire spread through text messages and social media Saturday, both workers and longtime patrons worried about the potential loss of an Indianapolis institution. The soul-food restaurant has long been a staple in the Kennedy-King neighborhood and served as a destination for African American community leaders, Democrats and celebrities visiting Indianapolis.

"It's a black-owned establishment for more than three decades. It's more than where we just come to eat," said Rev. Jeffrey Johnson Sr., senior pastor of Eastern Star Church. "It's where we come to meet, it's where we come to fellowship, it's where we come to encourage and help."

Johnson and several others stood outside Saturday afternoon, looking at the boarded-up windows and scorch marks along the exterior walls of the building at 1831 N. College Avenue.

Many who arrived were planning to grab a meal, maybe pork chops with greens and potato salad or wings and fried green tomatoes. And don't forget the lemonade.

Carlton Lynch, who lives in Michigan, said he agreed to hold a meeting in Indianapolis because he knew what meal awaited him Saturday.

"I had my mind on this big jar of lemonade," Lynch said. "This is a place where it's like coming to your grandma's house. It's not like Golden Corral; it's not like Applebee's."

A call to IFD came around midnight Saturday, according to a news release, sending firefighters to the north-side restaurant at 12:07 a.m. Firefighters gained control of the fire around 1:30 a.m.

An employee told IFD that the last worker left around 9:30 the night before.

Kountry Kitchen is as known for its political gatherings as it is for its food. Not only would you see the late Rep. Bill Crawford or current Mayor Joe Hogsett or other local Democrats, but Kountry Kitchen also once hosted then-Sen. Barack Obama in 2008.

And for more than a decade, thousands of people have been given free hot meals on Christmas mornings.

Just a few weeks ago, Hogsett and his wife joined other volunteers who filled plates, handed out toys and made sure neighbors had enough blankets and warm clothes for the winter.

Doris Barringer, who works at the restaurant a couple nights each week, said she started crying when she heard about the fire.

And Barringer said she prayed for the owners, Cynthia and Isaac Wilson, who treat her as if she's part of the family.

"I love the Wilsons. They embraced me, and we just have a good time down here serving the community," Barringer said. "I just ask the community to rally around the Wilsons. Hold their hands and just come together."

The full extent of the damages — and what effect they will have on the future of the restaurant — is not yet known. IndyStar's attempts to reach Cynthia and Isaac Wilson were unsuccessful. An IFD investigation is ongoing.

No matter how severe the damage is, several people are hoping to see Kountry Kitchen open again soon.

"We don't want to lose something this powerful, this strong. All the jobs that they provided throughout the years, the economic development, the community development, and all the things that Kountry Kitchen has meant," said Johnson, the pastor. "I'm sure they're going to come back better and stronger. And I want to make sure that as a community, we're coming alongside to help them out."

Barringer added: "I'm going to put my boots on. I'm going to get my toolbox and call all my friends. Whatever the Wilsons need us to do to make it work."

IndyStar reported Kaitlin Lange contributed to this story.

Contact IndyStar reporter Ryan Martin at 317-444-6294 or ryan.martin@indystar.com. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter: @ryanmartin

Follow IndyStar visual journalist Michelle Pemberton on Twitter: @MichelleRocket