Fire Damages Landmark Dania Beach Restaurant
DANIA BEACH (CBS4) – A landmark Dania Beach restaurant was damaged by a fire early Tuesday morning.
When Broward Sheriff's Fire Rescue crews arrived at the Tropical Acres Steakhouse in the 2400 block of Griffin Road just before 4 a.m. they could see flames inside parts of the building.
BSO firefighters, assisted by Hollywood firefighters, evacuated the surrounding homes and were able to get the flames knocked down in about an hour. No injuries were reported.
After more than six decades in the restaurant business Jack Studiale, who co-owns Tropical Acres Steakhouse, awoke to a business owner's nightmare.
"This is our 62nd year in business and we're still going strong," he said. "Not as good in the last ten years...five or six, but still doing well and proving good food for a lot of good people."
That was until the intense fire tried to take hold.
Michael Greenlaw, the manager, who is also in the family, said he too was shocked.
"It's not often that my uncle's voice is shaking, but when he called me at 4 a.m. it was definitely shaking," Greenlaw said. "This is emotional to say the least."
Studiale told CBS4 that he was told by firefighters that the fire possibly started in the laundry room by a freezer and spread to the back rooms. He said a Broward Sheriff's deputy was in the parking when the fire broke out and he was the one who contacted fire rescue.
"I hate to think what would have happened if it was noticed a half hour later," Studiale said.
People living in an apartment complex next door were also grateful the fire was spotted early.
"Cops woke us up and told us to get out," Robinson said.
Robinson said she grabbed her camera and took photos of the fire as fire fighters fought to put it out.
Henry Atwell, who also lives next door, said the restaurant is a staple in the community.
"Glad they got it under control…it would have been devastating for this community," he said.
The restaurant has been owned and operated by the Studiale family since it opened in 1949.
But this was not the first time the restaurant was damaged. In 1964, the restaurant burned to the ground and was rebuilt.
"It was a time when my grandfather turned a bad situation around and I think we'll be able to do that same," Greenlaw said.
Rachel Robinson, who lives next door, saw the incident unfold.
"The flames came out of the roof," she said.
The loyal customers of Tropical Acres are happy to hear that, including customer Steve Momot.
"I was hoping I wouldn't see complete destruction and so it's better now," he said.
Thanks to the quick action of firefighters, most of the damage to the main dining area is water and smoke related and the restaurant could reopen in the next 10 to 14 days.
"We just a hope that we'll get back up and running soon and get back into business and start doing what we've been doing for the last six decades," Greenlaw said.
The owner and members of the family said they're concerned about their 62 employees, whom they hope will be able to return to work as soon as possible.
"It's a committed family," Greenlaw said. "We've got committed employees. We've got employees that have been with us longer than I've been alive and they've been a part of this restaurant and made Tropical Acres what it is. It's just one more obstacle we'll get through."
