Cocoa Beach Restaurant Fire: Community Rallies Around The Tiny Turtle
On a sunny Friday afternoon, the serene atmosphere of Cocoa Beach was shattered when a fire broke out at one of the area’s beloved dining spots, The Tiny Turtle. Located right along the bustling Minutemen Causeway, the flames were so fierce they could be seen from miles away. Fortunately, no one was injured. But the sight of flames licking the roof and thick smoke billowing into the sky had many local residents concerned about their favorite eatery.
Owner Kelly Lieneke recounted the frantic moments when her husband sounded the alarm, urging everyone to evacuate and call 911. “He just came running, shouting, ‘Get everybody out. There’s a fire!’ I looked up and saw smoke billowing from our tiki huts,” Lieneke shared. Thankfully, firefighters from just down the block at the Cocoa Beach Fire Department raced to the scene, quickly containing the flames. Most of the damage was confined to the tiki huts, although some structural issues were reported.
For Kelly and her family, this isn’t just a restaurant; it’s their home and livelihood. Living on-site for nearly 13 years, The Tiny Turtle is woven into the fabric of their lives and the Cocoa Beach community. “We’re all in this together, and you never really get away from it,” she noted. The fire also impacted neighboring businesses like Junk Food Bakery and Hair Biz for Men, which have posted signs declaring them unsafe to enter.
While the investigation into the cause of the fire continues, Kelly mentioned that her husband saw a spark near a power line just before chaos erupted. “He thinks that may have started it. It’s heartbreaking, but it could have been so much worse,” she reflected. The tiki huts had been treated with fire retardant, which firefighters said helped prevent a disaster.
Despite the damage, the response from the community has been nothing short of heartwarming. Friends, patrons, and fellow business owners have been reaching out, asking how they can help. “My phone hasn’t stopped buzzing with messages,” Kelly said, her gratitude evident. “It sucks, but we’ll be okay. Our first priority is our employees; we’ll make sure everyone is taken care of.”
As The Tiny Turtle family works to assess the damages and plan their next steps, one thing is clear: the spirit of the Space Coast community is shining bright. Together, they’ll overcome this challenge.
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