MIAMI — What remains of Keto Kitchen 2 Go is a charred reminder of how quickly a thriving small business can be brought to a halt.

An electrical fire in early December tore through the Allapattah food delivery company, destroying thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment, ingredients and packing materials, according to owner Michele Areces.

“It’s devastating on so many levels,” Areces said.

Fire damage left the kitchen unrecognizable, forcing the business to shut down just weeks before Christmas, a critical time for food service companies.

Areces said the loss included essential kitchen equipment, and that the situation may have been worsened by earlier thefts.

“The compressors were stolen, and I think that put a lot of pressure on the electrical system,” she said. “The chef actually came into work and found the fire.”

Keto Kitchen 2 Go specialized in fully cooked meals delivered directly to customers’ homes, all designed around the ketogenic diet.

The concept grew out of Areces’ personal health journey after she was diagnosed with Lyme disease.

“My husband had heard someone had cured themselves in six months with keto,” she said. “Within 24 hours I was able to get out of bed unassisted, which I couldn’t before.”

What began as a home-based operation eventually expanded into a full-scale business serving customers across the area. That growth came to an abrupt stop with the fire.

“This was a labor of love that turned into a business,” Areces said. “It’s my passion.”

Since the fire, Areces has focused on cleanup while searching for a new location to restart the company.

She said employees, along with their loved ones, have stepped in to help clear debris and salvage what they can.

“It’s a long road,” she said. “It’s a long road.”

Areces has set up a GoFundMe page for the rebuild.

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