An early morning fire tore through Seven Cities Tattoo, a popular tattoo parlor near the Oceanfront, prompting a rapid response from Virginia Beach Fire Department crews and leaving the community with questions about the future of the locally beloved establishment.
The fire was reported at 2:16 a.m. on Wednesday morning, when emergency dispatchers received multiple calls alerting them to visible flames and heavy smoke at the 500 block of Virginia Beach Boulevard. Fire crews arrived on the scene within four minutes, only to find the single-story commercial structure fully engulfed.
Firefighters immediately launched an interior attack after forcing entry into the building, which was confirmed to be unoccupied at the time of the incident. The fire was brought under control in a short time, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures. Crews remained on the scene to ensure all hotspots were extinguished and to assess structural damage.
“We arrived to find heavy fire showing from the front of the building,” said a department spokesperson. “Our crews moved quickly to contain the flames, and we’re thankful no one was inside or injured.”
Seven Cities Tattoo, known for its vibrant local art, walk-in friendly atmosphere, and loyal clientele, has been a fixture in the Virginia Beach tattoo scene for years. News of the fire spread quickly across social media, with former customers and artists expressing concern and sharing memories of their time at the shop.
“I got my first tattoo at Seven Cities,” one local resident commented on Facebook. “It’s heartbreaking to see it go up in flames.”
At this time, the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire marshals and investigators were seen sifting through debris on Wednesday morning, and authorities have not ruled out any possibilities, including electrical malfunction or accidental causes. No foul play has been confirmed.
While the damage appears to be significant, the full extent and cost of repairs have yet to be determined. It is also unknown whether the business was insured or if the owner has plans to rebuild.
Seven Cities Tattoo has not yet released an official statement, though a temporary sign was seen placed on the front of the shop stating, “We will be back. Stronger. Thank you for your support.”
The Virginia Beach Fire Department is asking anyone with information or who may have seen unusual activity in the area during the early hours to contact the VBFD Fire Investigation Unit.
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