Fire devastates The Tiny Turtle and affects two businesses on Minutemen Causeway in Cocoa Beach

A massive fire ripped through the popular The Tiny Turtle restaurant in Cocoa Beach on the afternoon of Friday, May 29, 2026, with the flames spreading to at least two other neighboring businesses in Minutemen Causeway. The incident resulted in the closure of Minutemen Causeway while firefighters intensively battled the fire. Imagens video captured by cell phones and obtained by WESH 2 News showed flames coming from the roof of the establishment around 3pm, with dense smoke visible from a great distance. Não injuries were reported.

Chamas spread from tiki huts to neighboring establishments

The fire started around 3pm, according to reports, with videos and images showing the intensity of the flames bursting from the roof of The Tiny Turtle. The smoke, dense and dark, could be seen from different parts of the city, indicating the severity of the incident. Kelly Lieneke, owner of the restaurant, explained that her husband was the one who initially noticed the fire, sounding the alarm for evacuation.

“My husband just came running, saying ‘Everybody get out. Tem a fire. Liguem to 911’. Ele was running frantically. Olhei up and I saw smoke coming out of our tiki huts,” Lieneke reported. Cocoa Beach Fire Department, whose station is a few blocks away, quickly responded to the incident, starting to fight the flames. Lieneke assessed that the damage appeared to be mostly limited to the outdoor tiki huts, but confirmed that there was also some structural damage.

The Tiny Turtle is a family business that Lieneke has operated for almost 13 years, and the family resides on site. The owner expressed a deep connection to the establishment, stating, “We live here. Trabalhamos here. It’s our livelihood. Você can never get away.”

The flames were not restricted to The Tiny Turtle, also affecting two other nearby businesses.

• Junk Food Bakery:Teve its entrance closed with signs indicating that the location is unsafe for access or occupation.
• Hair Biz for Men:Apresentou similar signs at its entrance, warning of unsafe conditions due to fire damage.
• Danos by fire:Ambos establishments suffered direct or indirect losses due to the spread of the fire.

WESH 2 News attempted to contact the owners of these companies on Friday night to determine the exact extent of the losses, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Owner’s quick Alerta prevents injuries on site

Kelly Lieneke’s husband’s quick perception and action were crucial in ensuring no one was injured in the fire. Upon noticing smoke and flames in the tiki huts, he immediately alerted everyone to evacuate the restaurant. Essa’s immediate response was essential for the safety of those present, preventing the incident from resulting in victims.

Além Additionally, Lieneke mentioned that the tiki huts, installed about five years ago, had been treated with a fire retardant. Este treatment, according to the fire department, was a decisive factor in preventing the situation from being considerably worse, containing the initial spread of the flames and giving time for evacuation and the arrival of rescue teams. Firefighters confirmed that the preventive safety measure contributed significantly to mitigating the destruction.

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The family is now focusing its efforts on trying to recover what is possible from the property and the establishment. The main focus is reconstruction and a return to normality for the company and its employees.

Causa of fire under investigation and suspected spark

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation by the competent authorities. Contudo, Kelly Lieneke revealed that her husband observed an external spark moments before the flames spread. Ele reported that a power line could possibly have been the source.

“He said the power line maybe, you know, started… it sparked something, and then it just took over and started burning the tiki hut down,” Lieneke explained. Essa initial observation suggests that the spark may have been the trigger that started the fire in the tiki huts, which then spread to the other structures. Experts are working to confirm the exact origin and dynamics of the fire.

Comunidade of Cocoa Beach offers after-the-fact support

Diante of the tragedy, owner Kelly Lieneke highlighted the overwhelming support received from the Cocoa Beach community. The businesswoman’s phone “didn’t stop ringing” with several messages and offers of help, demonstrating the solidarity and engagement of the region’s residents. Essa’s outpouring of support has been a significant comfort at a time of great difficulty for the family.

“My phone has been ringing off the hook. Todo has been in touch all over the world, ‘How can we help? Sinto so much.’ It’s horrible, but we’re going to be okay,” said Lieneke. The businesswoman expressed deep gratitude for the community mobilization. Sua’s immediate concern also extends to its employees, whose livelihoods were impacted by the fire. “I care about our employees and getting everyone back to their livelihood too, but we’ll be fine. Cuidaremos them,” assured Lieneke, reiterating his commitment to supporting his team. The family is now dedicated to planning the next steps to recover the business and assist those affected.