CEDAR KEY, FL (352today.com) – The City of Cedar Key reports that its fire department was dispatched to an explosion and fire on Dock St. Thursday just before 5:30 a.m.
Almost 50 firefighters from Levy County, along with help from Dixie and Citrus counties, responded to the scene. They found a large fire in the building that contained Duncan’s on the Gulf Seafood Restaurant and the Rusty Hook Fishing Shop.
The city reports that the fire is now controlled, and there are no reported injuries. However, there are still some hotspots that firefighters are working to put out. They mention that Duncan’s, the Rusty Hook, the Island Trading Post, and Steamers Restaurant all suffered major damage.
The city is collaborating with local, county, and state officials to put out the last hotspots and start recovery. They are also teaming up with the Coast Guard and the Department of Environmental Protection to safeguard natural areas, including waterways and shellfish farms.
Mayor Sue Colson has declared a disaster to provide resources for recovery efforts.
For assistance, Cedar Key City Hall will open an information hotline that will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at 352.543.5132.
“At this moment, there are more questions than answer, but we are committed to working through the aftermath of this fire together,” the city states.
Update, 9.19.24, at 6:00 p.m.: Cedar Key continues to pick up the pieces Thursday afternoon, hours from when a fire devastated Dock Street just before 5;30 a.m.
352today’s Alan Youngblood spoke to the Cedar Key fire chief who shared that they still don’t know what caused the fire that tore through several businesses, leaving one burnt to the ground. Duncan’s on the Gulf restaurant didn’t survive the fire. He also shared that Steamers and Island Trading Post suffered heavy smoke and water damage, but they’re both still standing.
Original story, 9.19.24, at 11:53 a.m.: Firefighters continue to battle a fire on Dock Street in Cedar Key, according to local witnesses, who say they believe the blaze was first noticed just before dawn on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.
The fire has severely damaged or destroyed several businesses on Cedar Key’s most popular thoroughfare, according to Andy Bariteau, owner of Cedar Key Auto Repair, including Duncan’s on the Gulf, Island Trading Post, Rusty Hook Bait Shop, and Steamers, which he mentioned appeared to have taken the hardest hit. He also mentioned seeing fire engines from other towns rushing into the area to assist.
Many of these businesses are still dealing with not only the fallout from Hurricane Debby, but from last year’s Hurricane Idalia.
The fire is believed to have started early this morning at the Rusty Hook Bait Shop and Duncan’s on the Gulf restaurant.
There are currently no reported injuries. 352today has reached out to Cedar Key Fire Rescue and will provide more details as they arrive.
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