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Arson claims another island business

By Staff | Oct 19, 2010

MARIANNE PATON Left in cinders, the Low Key Tiki in St. James City, is now the third fire within recent months to be attributed to arson.

The fire that consumed Low Key Tiki in St. James City is the third blaze that has been attributed to arson in less than three months.

In July, the complex that housed the Matlacha Post office and other businesses was deemed to be arson. The single-family dwelling in Matlacha Isles that was torched just two weeks still remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s office. Now the Low Key Tiki joins that list.

While all three fires share some things in common, such as all of the structures are accessible by water, the fires were started at the rear of the building and were all reported at approximately 2 a.m. it remains uncertain that they are related, according to officials.

“Because of the recent outbreak of arson in the area, we have teamed up with the Fire Marshal’s office and the Sheriff’s department to try to get this resolved. I do know that the investigators were able to collect evidence at the last two fires and that it is presumed that some kind of liquid was used as a means to ignite the blazes,” said Jeff Roach, fire inspector with the MPIFCD. “The best advice I can give people to protect their property from arson is to use security cameras and keep their eyes open for anything suspicious. I also highly recommend that businesses or private residences with tiki huts have them treated to make them fire resistant. Those things tend to go up like dried Christmas trees and burn very hot very quickly.”

The Low Key Tiki fire occurred during the early morning hours of Oct. 14 and quickly consumed the entire outdoor tiki bar and destroyed the rear portion of the building, however, the owners Barb and Scott Adams say that they will work toward rebuilding the business.

“We will be back even though it will take a lot of time,” said Barb. “It is going to take time for things to happen with the insurance adjusters and then there is all the red tape to face with the county, but we will keep working until we are back in business.”

Barb and Scott Adams, built the tiki and opened for business in November of 2009 and the place has since become a popular gathering place for many island residents and visitors.

“Those who have lost the most as a result of the fire are our employees and our customers,” said Scott. “We cannot thank them enough for all of the support they have given and continue to offer. This was their place, a place they treated like a second home and it is for them that we will work to bring it back.”

The Low Key Tiki fire was quickly contained by firefighters and no injuries were incurred do to the smoke or flames. No other structures were damaged in the area of the tiki in St. James City.

Those with any information about the arson at Low Key Tiki, the Matlacha Isles residence of the Matlacha Post office are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. Calls can be placed anonymously and could result in receiving a reward for as much as $2,500.