Shaq’s historic Krispy Kreme store ‘gutted’ in massive fire, promises to ‘bounce back’

The historic Krispy Kreme donut shop in Atlanta – owned by Shaq and has links with Martin Luther King Jr. – was “gutted” in a massive fire Wednesday morning … but the NBA legend has vowed to fix it.

The fire broke out at the Ponce de Leon Ave location. just after midnight while there were still 2 employees in the store.

Both staffers were able to escape without injury, but the structure sustained heavy damage before Atlanta Fire Rescue was able to put out the blaze.

“A fast-moving fire destroyed the building just before 1 am this morning,” Atlanta Fire Rescue said in a statement.

Video of the fire is wild – it’s a wonder no one was hurt. 11Alive’s Joe Ripley reports that the back of the structure was badly damaged and that the famous giant donut menu had melted.

Shaquille O’Neal bought the store in 2016 – pointing out its importance to the community … and to the country.

It first opened in 1965 – one of the first Krispy Kreme stores outside of the company’s North Carolina headquarters.

In fact, after Martin Luther King Jr. died in 1968, that particular store donated 150 boxes of donuts to locate churches to feed the mourners who flocked to Atlanta to pay their respects.