A June 9 fire wiped out the commercial kitchen that Sara and Sam Lucchese use to supply three small food businesses across Seattle's farmers market circuit.

The fire left the couple residing in Ballard without the production infrastructure they depend on for income.

The Seattle Fire Department estimated the loss at $500,000. Investigators ruled the blaze accidental, caused by a container of hot embers that ignited a wood pile outside the couple's home at 30th Ave NW and NW 59th St. The fire spread from the exterior into the residence, destroying the food production kitchen and causing extensive damage to the living space.

The Luccheses operate Vespucci Pizza, Pasteria Lucchese, and La Crespella, all produced out of that single home-based commercial kitchen. Before the fire, they ran stands six days a week: Capitol Hill on Tuesdays, Wallingford on Wednesdays, Queen Anne on Thursdays, the U District and Edmonds on Saturdays, and the Ballard Farmers Market on Sundays.

The timing compounds the loss. The couple closed their brick-and-mortar restaurant, Strega Pizzeria at 5465 Leary Ave NW, on May 14 after two years in business. Sam Lucchese told My Ballard at the time that rising costs forced the decision. "If you have a bad month or two, that leaves a dent," he said. With Strega shuttered, the farmers market stands were their sole remaining revenue stream.

The Seattle Farmers Market Association posted an appeal on June 10, calling the Luccheses' market presence "a cornerstone for so many market-goers" and urging donations to a GoFundMe campaign organized by Matt Kelly on behalf of Sara Lucchese.

According to the updated campaign, over $60,000 has been raised to make necessary repairs for the commercial kitchen and fix damages to their living space.