Cheeca Lodge in the Florida Keys Burned New Years Eve

Cheeca Lodge, a luxury resort in the Florida Keys, caught fire as the rest of the nation rang in the new year. Guests fled the hotel with just the clothes on their backs. One couple was celebrating their wedding and wound up spending the night in their wedding garb.

According to the Miami Herald, Islamorada Fire Chief William Wagner said the Cheeca Lodge fire is the worst fire the Keys has seen in 20 years. Surrounding area fire departments assisted the Islamorada fire departments in fighting the blaze. The fire began around 9:45 p.m. and may have been caused by embers made by cigarettes or fireworks. The official cause of the fire has not been released.

Cheeca Lodge is a historic building that has been operating for over 60 years in the Florida Keys.

Witness Accounts of the Cheeca Lodge fire

One family rushed to get their children out as embers rained on their heads. The mother is quoted in the Miami Herald, fearing their clothing would catch fire.

Another guest of the Cheeca Lodge exclaimed she was amazed everyone got out safely.

My Recent House Fire

The first-person accounts of the terrifying fire at the Cheeca Lodge hit rather close to home, as my family just experienced a house fire a month ago. Unlike the Cheeca Lodge fire, my house fire was relatively small and contained to the attic. Still, the word 'fire!' and imagining the terror the guests at the Cheeca Lodge must have felt as the hot embers and ensuing smoke poured through the building.

I know the panic I felt when I came home to the smell of something burning. My legs were wooden as I climbed the stairs to the second floor, trying to determine the cause of the smoke. When I saw the smoke coming from inside the wall, I realized there was nothing I could do to prevent this from happening. I called 911 and evacuated my house.

Once outside, I was so scared. My mind raced as I thought about all the precious possessions still in the house. Everyone asks, "What's the one thing you would grab if your house was on fire?" The truth is, nothing. My children weren't home, so I grabbed my coat and ran. I'm sure the guests at the Cheeca Lodge felt much the same way as they fled for their lives.

Sources:

"Fire closes historic Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada", Miami Herald

"State news of national interest", International Herald Tribune