FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Salt Life Food Shack in Fernandina Beach reopened Friday, welcoming back customers less than two weeks after an electrical fire and subsequent water damage temporarily forced the business to close.
The blaze occurred in the early hours of Nov. 2, when an electrical fire broke out on the restaurant’s outdoor rooftop. Although crews confined the fire to the roof area, a water pipe burst during the incident and leaked into the kitchen below.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
The resulting water damage complicated repairs and extended the timeframe needed to safely prepare the building for reopening.
No one was injured during the fire. At the time the fire started, Salt Life Food Shack staff members were already on site preparing for a scheduled catering delivery. Employees swiftly alerted emergency responders.
The Fernandina Beach Fire Department arrived at the scene in less than 3 minutes. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames on the rooftop and turned off the building’s water supply, preventing further water damage to the interior and kitchen facilities.
Jeff Jabot, owner and operator of Salt Life Food Shack, credited both the restaurant’s staff and local firefighters for minimizing damage during the emergency.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
“We are incredibly grateful for how our staff handled the situation and the quick response and professionalism of the Fernandina Beach Fire Department who helped protect our restaurant and the surrounding community,” Jabot said. “The support we’ve received over the past week has been overwhelming and much appreciated.”
Following the fire, restaurant personnel worked to clean and repair the property to ensure staff could return to work and guests could return safely. “This experience reminded us just how special this beach community is,” Jabot said. “The encouragement we’ve received from everyone has meant the world to our team. We’re ready to get back to doing what we love and look forward to welcoming guests back.”
As a gesture of gratitude, Salt Life Food Shack plans to host a special community appreciation day in the coming weeks to honor the firefighters who responded to the call.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
The event will invite responding firefighters and their families to enjoy a meal at the restaurant, while giving area residents a chance to meet and thank the first responders.
Additional details regarding the date and schedule for the community appreciation event will be announced by the restaurant in the coming weeks.
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
