FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. – A seashell shop in Fruitland Park went up in flames early Tuesday.
The Lake County Firefighters union posted a video of heavy flames coming from the Shell Shack on U.S. 441.
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The cause of the fire is under investigation and it’s not yet known how badly the building was damaged.
Fire officials had to utilize tankers due to the nearest fire hydrant being over 2500 feet away.
HAPPENING NOW: Traffic is opening up on US. 27 after the Shell Shack caught fire earlier Tuesday morning.
— Brian Didlake (@News6Brian) December 21, 2021
Fire officials had to utilize tankers due to the nearest fire hydrant being over 2500 feet away.
There were 5 total occupants and no injuries. @news6wkmg pic.twitter.com/euqdUZVpF7
Lake County Fire Rescue says the fire shut down U.S. 441 for an hour, and smoke and fog because of the fire continued to snare visibility for drivers in the area for hours. Only one northbound lane of the highway is open right now.
The Sea-Shell House’s website and Facebook page describe the place as a museum and store, with shells for sale and classes in shell art. The website says the “Shell Shack” underwent a renovation last year.
Five people were living there when the fire happened. No one was hurt. The Red Cross is helping those put out by the fire.