CNN — The home of New Orleans's beloved Hubig's Pies was destroyed by a fire early Friday morning in a "total loss," according to the New Orleans Fire Department.

The five-alarm fire at the historic bakery began around 4:28 a.m. in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood, CNN affiliate WWL-TV reported.

An employee noticed smoke coming out of the fryer room, where the fire is assumed to have started.

With its chubby mascot Savory Simon, Hubig's Pies has been serving up snack-sized fried pies from its New Orleans plant since 1922. Master baker Hubig founded the Simon Hubig Pie Company in Ft. Worth, Texas, at the start of World War I. The chain faltered during the Depression and since then, the New Orleans location has been the sole producer of the iconic packaged treats under the helm of the Bowman and Ramsey families.

The plant closed briefly after Hurricane Katrina due to serious roof damage. It didn't reopen until the first week of January 2006, evoking a bit of controversy when the pie made an appearance in the HBO series "Treme" in a diner scene set three months after the devastating hurricane.

The Bowman and Ramsey families have vowed to return, according to WWL.

"On behalf of the Hubig's Pies family we would like to thank everyone for all of the love and support we have received through out the years and during this difficult time. The abundant amount of thoughts, prayers, and strength that is being sent our way during this time is much appreciated," the Bowman and Ramsey families said in a statement.

"We are blessed to be part of such a resilient community and we send our immense gratitude to all of the first responders who 'put this out with their tears.'

"REBUILD RESTORE REHUBIG'S, WE WILL NOT LOSE OUR FLAVOR!"

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