Salt Life Food Shack in Fernandina Beach is reopening its doors Friday at 4 p.m., nearly two weeks after an early-morning electrical fire tore through the restaurant's rooftop and sent four employees fleeing to safety. The restaurant, located at 17 N. Fletcher Ave., plans to mark the occasion with a community appreciation day honoring the firefighters who kept the blaze from spreading.
The fire broke out early on November 2 while employees were preparing a catering delivery, according to News4JAX. Staff alerted emergency services, and all four employees inside at the time got out safely, with no injuries reported. Fernandina Beach firefighters arrived in less than three minutes and had the fire contained within five minutes of arrival, the station reported.
Crews extinguished the blaze and shut off water to the building to prevent further damage, per the same report. The electrical fire damaged the restaurant's rooftop, and a burst pipe sent water leaking into the kitchen below. Investigators told the station that early indications pointed to an electrical cause and that the fire did not appear suspicious.
What Likely Sparked the Blaze
A separate report from the Fernandina Observer offered a more specific theory, stating that a burned-out electrical outlet likely ignited a wooden couch on the restaurant's second-floor patio, causing the fire. That account describes a likely cause rather than a final official determination.
In the immediate aftermath, the restaurant said it expected to remain closed for several days as repairs got underway. Nearly two weeks later, Salt Life Food Shack announced it would reopen Friday at 4 p.m. and resume its regular operating hours from there, according to the restaurant's statement shared with the station.
Owner Credits Staff and Firefighters
Owner and operator Jeff Jabot said the staff responded well during the fire and credited the fire department with protecting both the restaurant and the surrounding community. He said support from guests, businesses and other community members over the past week has been overwhelming.
Jabot said the experience reminded the team how special the beach community is, and that staff are ready to get back to work and welcome guests back through the doors. As part of the reopening, Salt Life plans to hold a community appreciation day in the coming weeks, inviting the responding firefighters and their families in for a meal. The community will also be invited to attend, meet the firefighters and thank them in person, though the restaurant has not yet released a date or further details for the event.
