Buildings, which have been accommodating Waterfront Orlando Restaurant for over 50 years, have caused a fire early in the morning on Sunday and have been closed indefinitely.
The owner Ryan Davis told the firefighters that there was a possibility that electricity had occurred in the kitchen area of the waterfront in Lake Jenny Jewel in South Orlando. There was no injury.
“I don’t think there was a foul play, but I got it in the middle of the night and caught me a little surprise,” he said. “There is not much power used in the middle of the night.”
Davis said that after watching a TV news report on fire, his wife woke up around 5 am on Sunday. When he arrived at the restaurant, the crew worked to remove the flame.
Approximately 10 % of the building was burned by Davis estimation.
He said that the fire from the fire reached 20 feet in the air, but most of the inside of the building, including the seat area, was saved by firefighters.
“You are now ready to go with sad and emotional feelings,” Davis said. “We are ready to put things on track and understand what the next transaction is.”
Davis has added that he is planning to rebuild and feels that he is suffering from his staff and his regular users.
The building containing the waterfront has been there since 1972, named Julie’s waterfront when Davis took it about eight years ago.
Davis said that the restaurant started the GOFUNDME page to support the staff who has now lost work, and he was overwhelmed by the answer.
Donors have been collecting more than $ 5,000 for the waterfront since Sunday.
“You feel terrible for the staff and I feel it has happened, but what can I do?” He said. “That’s what we are now trying to do. Understand what to do next.”
Initially issued: January 27, 2025 4:07 pm EST