Jackie Kennedy's eldest granddaughter was left distraught on Wednesday after a fire destroyed her wife's tony restaurant the night after Christmas.
The fire caused significant damage to Rory's Place, run by Rory McAuliffe who married Rose Schlossberg in 2022.
Rose often helps out in the cafe by waiting tables.
The restaurant in Ojai, California, caught fire early Wednesday morning due to a suspected faulty electrical wire. Authorities say no injuries were reported.
A post on the restaurant's Instagram page shared photos of the damage and called it “a devastating nightmare of a night at Rory's Place.”
Earlier this year, Jackie O's look-alike granddaughter Rose – affectionately called 'Ro' or 'Ro Ro' by friends – was pictured sitting at a table, greeting guests and grabbing coffee at the restaurant.
A fire early Wednesday morning caused significant damage to Rory's Place in Ojai, California, a restaurant owned by Rose Kennedy Schlossberg's wife, Rory McAuliffe
Rory's Place in Ojai, California, caught fire early Wednesday morning due to a suspected faulty electrical wire. Authorities say no injuries were reported
Ventura County Fire Captain Brian McGrath told DailyMail.com, “The fire at 139 E Ojai Ave (Rory's) started just after midnight this morning. It was a first alarm fire, with six fire engines and two support companies responding and several investigators
“The fire caused significant damage, but the restaurant may be salvageable. That's up to the city inspectors and the building owner. The restaurant won't be opening anytime soon,” McGrath said
“VCFD had to cut through a lot of stucco to get to a fire in the wall that they believe was caused by the electrical wiring behind the walk-in refrigerator. Normally we are closed on Tuesdays, but due to the holidays we are open this Tuesday. I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if we were closed as usual,” read a post on the restaurant's Instagram page.
Authorities said they are unsure of the cause of the fire and said “the matter remains under investigation.”
Ventura County Fire Captain Brian McGrath told DailyMail.com, “The fire at 139 E Ojai Ave (Rory's) started just after midnight this morning. It was a first alarm fire, involving six fire engines and two support companies and several investigators.'
He said putting out the fire took just under an hour and a half.
'We got the call at 12.05am and were completely clear by 1.22am. No injuries were reported,” McGrath said. 'The fire was difficult to detect and trace. We had to break open some walls at the back of the restaurant to find the fire.”
He said he is unsure of the cause of the fire and said “it is still under investigation.”
Rose resembles her famous grandmother Jackie Kennedy Onassis with dark hair and wide-set eyes
'The fire has caused significant damage, but the restaurant may still be salvageable. That's up to the city inspectors and the building owner.
The restaurant won't be opening anytime soon,” McGrath said.
On the restaurant's Instagram page, the owners tried to clarify the bad situation, writing: 'We thought these walk-in refrigerators were for keeping things cold!!!
“Jk's just trying to keep things light after a devastating nightmare of a night at Rory's Place. Fortunately, and most importantly, no one was injured. Our incredibly brave employees Alejandro and Carmen were on site to catch the fire and call the fire brigade.
“VCFD had to cut through a lot of stucco to get to a fire in the wall that they believe was caused by the electrical wiring behind the walk-in refrigerator. Normally we are closed on Tuesdays, but due to the holidays we are open this Tuesday.
“I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if we were closed as usual.
The restaurant is run by Rory and her sister Meave.
“Meave went home at four in the morning and said she wanted to be a firefighter. Those guys are impressive,” Rory added.
“We are currently working through what this means for the entire Rory's Place family. We will post updates as we receive them. But for now we are closed for assessment/repair/rebuild. I hope for a quick process, both for our team and for our community! Cross yourself, it's only a few weeks.'
Rose and restaurateur Rory McAuliffe married in May 2022 at their $1.2 million home in Ojai, California
The eldest grandchild of JFK and Jackie Kennedy Onassis is as far away from the trappings of Camelot as you can get
The 34-year-old was seen waiting tables, greeting guests and drinking coffee at her wife's restaurant
Rose comes from the disaster-ridden Kennedy clan. Her grandparents were President John Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963, and former First Lady Jacqueline, who died in 1994.
They had three children: John Jr., who died in a plane crash in 1999, Patrick who died as an infant, and Caroline, Rose's mother who married exhibition designer Edwin Schlossberg and is now US ambassador to Australia.
Rose grew up with siblings Tatiana, 32, Jack, 30, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
She was just five when her beloved grandmother died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1994.
She attended the prestigious private school Brearley, where tuition is $60,000 per year.
After high school, she earned an English degree from Harvard University.
While she later dabbled in politics, filmmaking and fashion, Rose settled into a relaxed life on the West Coast.
Last October, DailyMail.com spotted the physically fit Kennedy taking part in one of her favorite sports – surfing – in Ventura.
McAuliffe runs Rory's Place, a farm-to-table restaurant, with her older sister Meave
DailyMail.com spotted Rose surfing in Ventura, California in October 2022
In May 2022, she and wife Rory exchanged “I do's” in front of 300 friends and family at their $1.2 million home in Ojai.
Ojai is located about thirteen miles inland from the Ventura coast and has a population of about 8,000.
It attracts the artsy crowd, outdoor enthusiasts for its biking and hiking trails, and the pampered Los Angeles couple who visit the beautiful Ojai Valley Inn & Spa.
Although Rory's Place has only been open for just over a year, Rose has shown that she is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and contribute and help.
She regularly visits farms with her wife and helps pick fruits and vegetables for that evening's menu.
Rose probably could have followed in the footsteps of other Kennedy family members and pursued a life in the spotlight, but chose her own path in a small town where she is just “Ro” to them.