Fire guts Georgetown bistro La Bonne Vache; owners say they will rebuild
A fire Sunday night, Oct. 18, wrecked the first floor of the Prospect Street restaurant and forced two upstairs residents out of their apartment. No one was hurt.
A fire Sunday night, Oct. 18, heavily damaged the first floor of La Bonne Vache, a French bistro in Georgetown. Two people who live above the restaurant were forced out of their apartment. The owners say they plan to rebuild.
D.C. Fire and EMS crews were called to the 3200 block of Prospect Street NW at about 9:30 p.m., according to Washingtonian and FOX 5 DC. Washingtonian reported the department’s account: the call came in at 9:34 p.m., and firefighters were on scene within two minutes.
What happened
Fire officials said the fire started at an electrical panel on the restaurant’s first floor, both outlets reported; Washingtonian said the exact cause remained under investigation. FOX 5 said employees were getting ready to close for the night when it broke out. Crews kept the fire to the first floor of the three-story building. Photos released by officials show scorched walls, shattered windows and overturned furniture throughout the dining room. The front windows have since been boarded up.
No injuries were reported. Staff got out, and so did the two adults who live upstairs. Both were displaced. Washingtonian reported that the residents are getting help from the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services and the American Red Cross, and that Pepco cut utility service to the building.
A neighborhood favorite
La Bonne Vache opened in January 2024 at the corner of Prospect and Potomac streets, in the space long occupied by the Booeymonger deli. That was reported at the time by Washingtonian and The Georgetowner. Claire and Ari Wilder run the bistro, and Rachel and Robert Aikens are co-owners.
Neighbors told FOX 5 the restaurant was usually full, with waits that could reach 20 minutes. They said they were relieved that everyone got out safely.
What’s next
The owners were not available for interviews. In a social media post, they thanked the community and said they would reopen. Washingtonian quoted the post: “we will rebuild and reopen.” Ari Wilder told Washingtonian the team’s first priority is its employees.
No timeline for repairs or reopening has been announced. The restaurant is still closed.
Sources
- Washingtonian: La Bonne Vache in Georgetown devastated by fire
- FOX 5 DC: Fire tears through popular Georgetown restaurant La Bonne Vache, displacing 2 residents
- Washingtonian: An approachable, affordable French bistro finally arrives in Georgetown (2024)
- The Georgetowner: La Bonne Vache, new neighborhood fave in old Booeymonger spot (2024)
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