A popular Albany bar is now a charred shell. Lark Tavern on Madison Avenue was gutted by a two-alarm fire early Thursday morning. The cause is still under investigation. Our Sabina Kuriakose tells us why many say it's a loss for the whole community.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- A fire at the popular Lark Tavern in Albany is under investigation.

Firefighters were called to the bar on Madison Avenue shortly after 4 a.m., and it took two hours and seven fire trucks to get it under control.

The fire started around closing time and there were people inside the bar, but everyone was able to make it out safely.

We're told the fire started in the rear of the building in a kitchen prep area.

The owner said she has faith that she and her staff will be just fine.

"I've been in this community for 25 years, and I love this neighborhood, and I love the people in it," said owner Tess Collins. "And as you stand here, you can see all the love and support everyone's given us."

Collins said she'll look to start rebuilding in four months, but her first priority is to get her staff settled at other jobs around Albany.