JENSEN BEACH — A fire that investigators believe was caused by discarded fireworks broke out in the early hours of New Year’s Day, burning the bathrooms, boardwalk and canopy next to the Sand Dune Café.
The first call came into Martin County Fire Rescue around 3:30 a.m., spokesperson Cory Pippin said, with firefighters responding shortly thereafter.
The Florida State Fire Marshal was called in to lead the investigation, Pippin said, with early signs pointing to a trash can near the bathrooms.
“It is believed to have started in the trashcan nearby and spread to the boardwalk and the building,” Pippin said. “As far as what caused it, it’s unclear but it is believed at this point to be discarded fireworks.”
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A fire that broke out at Jensen Beach early in the morning on New Year’s Day damaged the bathrooms, boardwalk and canopy adjacent to the Sand Dune Cafe, causing it to temporarily close.
A fire that broke out at Jensen Beach early in the morning on New Year’s Day damaged the bathrooms, boardwalk and canopy adjacent to the Sand Dune Cafe, causing it to temporarily close.
Discarded fireworks were seen in the parking lot next to where a fire broke out at Jensen Beach early in the morning on New Year’s Day.
Trash from discarded fireworks could be seen Wednesday morning in the parking lot nearby, though it was not clear if that were related to the fire.
County Commissioner Eileen Vargas was on the scene Wednesday morning assessing the damage with county parks staff, who indicated that there are security cameras in the area that may aid in the investigation.
A fire that broke out at Jensen Beach early in the morning on New Year’s Day damaged the bathrooms, boardwalk and canopy adjacent to the Sand Dune Cafe, causing it to temporarily close.
“It is disheartening that someone would come here to Jensen Beach and not properly dispose of something they know to be a combustible material,” Vargas said.
Vargas declined to comment on the causes of the fire or on a timeline for the bathroom or café reopening.
Wicker Perlis is TCPalm’s Watchdog Reporter for St. Lucie County. You can reach him at wicker.perlis@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Discarded fireworks considered likely cause of New Year’s Day fire