VERO BEACH — The Citrus Grillhouse, a popular beachfront restaurant located on the island, will remain closed for a couple months after a kitchen grease fire caused extensive damage to the business, the owner said. The closing leaves about 60 workers temporarily unemployed.
“It’s an accident. Accidents happen,” Scott Varricchio, owner and chef, said Thursday. The blaze activated the sprinkler system, which left heavy water damage to the business. There was little fire and smoke damage.
The early Tuesday morning fire happened during the busiest time of the year for the restaurant, Varricchio said. The owner said he thinks a pot left on the stove might have caused the blaze. An official cause has not yet been determined, according to Fire Rescue spokesman Cory Richter.
Fire Rescue crews responded to the fire about 6 a.m. Tuesday at the Citrus Grillhouse, 1050 Easter Lily Lane. Crews initially thought the blaze was on the third floor because the smoke billowed through the kitchen vents up to the roof, Richter said.
Above the restaurant are condos. The smoke and flames did not reach the homes and no evacuations were needed, Richter said.
Crews determined the fire was contained to the kitchen and extinguished the blaze about 7 a.m. The restaurant was closed at the time and no injuries were reported, Richter said.
No other buildings were threatened or damaged, Richter said. A state fire marshal was also on scene and continues to investigate the cause of the fire.
Varricchio said he and some staff members are working to take all damaged items out of the restaurant. He didn’t have a timeline for when the restaurant would reopen.
Varricchio said Citrus Grillhouse has been in operation for eight years. He said he has worked at the beachfront restaurant since its opening.
Fire at Dyer Chevrolet
Nearly a week before the fire at Citrus Grillhouse, a blaze ignited at Dyer Chevrolet and left extensive fire and smoke damage to the service area, according to Richter. Seven customer vehicles, including a Hummer, Camaro, two Tahoes, a Cadillac PX, a Buick and Trailblazer were damaged; several of them were destroyed.
The vehicles were left in the service area that night for maintenance the next day.
Fire Rescue crews responded to the flames about 11 p.m. March 19 at Dyer Chevrolet, 1000 U.S. 1. The business was closed and the blaze was contained to the service area, Richter said.
Crews extinguished the fire in about 50 minutes. No other structures were threatened and the business was open the next day.
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal.