Shaq’s Historic Krispy Kreme Store ‘Gutted’ In Massive Fire, Vows to ‘Bounce Back’

The historic Krispy Kreme Donut Store in Atlanta – owned by Shaq and the bond with Martin Luther King Jr. was “hit” in a massive fire on Wednesday morning … but the NBA legend promised to repair it.

The fire broke out just after midnight at the Ponce de Leon Ave. occurred while two employees were still inside the store.

Both staff members were able to escape without injuries, but the structure sustained heavy damage before Atlanta Fire Rescue was able to extinguish the fire.

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

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

Shaquille O’Neal bought the store back in 2016 and remarked that it’s important to the community … and to the country.

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

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