Hours after reopening from Hurricane Milton, the Boat House Tiki Bar & Grill was consumed by a massive fire late Thursday night.
The Cape Coral Fire Department responded to the scene on Driftwood Parkway around 9:40 p.m.
Josh Slochowsky, a bar back and deck crew at the restaurant, was working Thursday night, when everything changed.
"Everything was normal. It was a great first day, and then, towards closing, everyone was leaving," he said. "The kitchen guy came up saying, 'Fire.'"
Slochowsky said a member of the kitchen staff alerted him that the fire had sparked near the coolers downstairs. Slochowsky tried to battle the flames with four fire extinguishers, but the fire spread too quickly.
That's when he called everyone to leave.
"It started getting too hot, too big. And there was only so much I could do," he said. "I just wanted to keep everyone safe and calm."
Crews say there was a heavy fuel load, including the thatched roof, fully restocked alcohol for the bar and the windy conditions.
Those factors caused challenges for the firefighters who used handlines, elevated master stream and the fire boat to attack the fire from the river side of the restaurant.
"We did have multiple issues with water supplies down here. There was only one fire hydrant available. So then we also resorted to taking water out of the river to help fight fire. And at one point, we did have a boat on scene that was helping fight the fire with the boat, too," Milliken said.
Firefighters did all they could, but according to Cape Coral Fire Battalion Chief Ian Milliken - the restaurant is a total loss.
"I have good memories here. A lot of my friends worked here, and we all had fun together, but it's OK. Life goes on. So it's just property," Slochowsky said.
The restaurant held countless memories for residents like Yamile Escobar and Cole McNeil, who met for the first time at the Boathouse. Now, they have a baby on the way.
"We were sitting at the bar when we met," Escobar said. "I looked at him last night and said, 'This is where it all started.' Now it’s gone."
Fire investigators say the cause is still undetermined but haven’t ruled out electrical issues. No injuries were reported.
The owner of the restaurant, Zak Kearns, said he hopes to rebuild the restaurant.