Gunther's Ice Cream Remains Open After Fire Causes Smoke Damage

Sacramento business continues operations despite interior smoke damage from early morning blaze.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:05pm

A photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a partially melted ice cream scoop and a charred ice cream cone, conceptually representing the aftermath of the fire at Gunther's Ice Cream.Despite smoke damage from an early morning fire, Gunther's Ice Cream remains open, showcasing the resilience of this beloved Sacramento institution.Today in Sacramento

A fire at Gunther's Ice Cream in Sacramento, California caused smoke damage to the building early Saturday morning, but the popular ice cream shop remains open for business. The Sacramento Fire Department reported an exterior fire led to interior damage, though the cause of the blaze is still unknown. A Gunther's employee stated the smoke only impacted the manufacturing room, and a KCRA 3 reporter observed a boarded-up window and partially burnt awning, yet customers were still visiting the shop.

Why it matters

Gunther's Ice Cream is a beloved Sacramento institution, having served the community for decades. The ability of the business to remain open despite a fire incident highlights the resilience of local small businesses and their importance to the fabric of the city.

The details

The Sacramento Fire Department responded to an early morning fire at Gunther's Ice Cream on Franklin Boulevard. The exterior fire caused smoke damage to the interior of the building, primarily affecting the manufacturing room. Despite the damage, Gunther's remained open for business on Saturday, with customers still visiting the shop.

  • The fire occurred early Saturday morning.
  • A KCRA 3 photographer visited Gunther's on Saturday afternoon to assess the damage.

The players

Gunther's Ice Cream

A popular ice cream shop that has served the Sacramento community for decades.

Sacramento Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the fire at Gunther's Ice Cream.

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What they’re saying

“The smoke damage only affected one area, the manufacturing room.”

— Gunther's Employee

The takeaway

Gunther's Ice Cream's ability to remain open despite a fire incident demonstrates the resilience and importance of local small businesses in the Sacramento community. The shop's continued operations despite the damage highlight the adaptability and dedication of its owners and staff.